The municipality of
Torrijos was established on May 25, 1880 through
Real Order No. 469. On May 29, 1884,
Royal Decree No. 304 was issued, approving its ecclesiastical foundation as a parish from its mother town
Santa Cruz. On September 13, 1900, during the
Philippine–American War, forces of the Philippine Revolutionary Army under Colonel Maximo Abad engaged American troops led by Captain Devereux Shields in Torrijos. Abad’s forces defeated the Americans in what is regarded as one of their most significant setbacks during the conflict. The encounter became known as the
Battle of Pulang Lupa, named after the mountain where it occurred, whose reddish soil gave rise to the name “Red Mountain.” A monument now marks the site of the battle. In 1942, the Japanese occupied the town of Torrijos, Marinduque. In 1945, in the Battle of Marinduque, American and Filipino troops fought in and around the town of Torrijos and Marinduque against the Japanese soldiers during
World War II. ==Geography==