Puerto Rican Island Adventures History of Puerto Rico by Maureen Ryan

Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico Commonwealth of Puerto Rico

Christopher Columbus sails west again in 1493 with his destination being the island of La Espanola. His plans are to make this island a colony of Spain.

The island of Puerto Rico was originally called Boriken. Columbus renames it San Juan Bautista and the major port is named Puerto Rico (rich port). The town name and the island name are eventually switched.

The people who inhabit the island are Arawak-Taino and Carib Indians. These Indians and African slaves brought there become the workers of the land. The island is now a colony of Spain. People are forced to comply with Spain’s way of life – to become assimilated to European customs.

Juan Ponce de Leon is appointed the first governor of Puerto Rico. Many Spaniards settle on the island and take Indian women for their wives. Diego Columbus (Christopher’s son) is appointed the next governor of Puerto Rico. The most important cash crops in the beginning are sugar, ginger, the gold in mines, coffee and tobacco.

The term “jibaro” is used by Puerto Rican’s to describe a sympathetic pheasant farmer during the days of plantations. Spain forbids trade of the island crops with other countries. Contraband items are smuggled to places like the United States out of economic need. The port of New York is frequented.

In 1868 a group of people revolt against Spanish rule. The uprising becomes known as El Grito de Lares because it occurred in the city of Lares. By 1898 the island has its own government but is still ruled by Spain.

That same year during the Spanish- American War, the U.S. invades Puerto Rico. Spain surrenders on the island and on the mainland. As part of the peace treaty, Spain gives up rule of Cuba, Guam, the Philippines and Puerto Rico.

By 1900 Puerto Rico has an American civil governor – Charles Allen and 5 Puerto Rican Cabinet members. The island is a territory of the U.S. and free trade is established. Official Language Act is passed and states that English will be co-official with Spanish in all government affairs.

1917 President Wilson signs the Jones Act Created are a bill of rights 3 governmental branches like the U.S. Elections would be every 4 years Puerto Ricans were granted statutory citizenship by an act of Congress Since citizenship is not under the U.S. constitution it is not guaranteed. They could join the U.S. Army.

The majority of Puerto Ricans who live in the U.S. are located in New York (primarily Manhattan and the boroughs), New Jersey and Florida. Since the 1950’s air travel was established regularly between the mainland and the island. This made travel easier and more convenient between the 2 destinations.

1929 Women are given the right to vote if they know how to read and write The Commissioner of Education in P.R. adopted Spanish the language of instruction in elementary grades English was for later grades 1937 President F.D. Roosevelt declares every October 12 th Christopher Columbus Day 1943 a U.S. Senator calls for independence of P.R. Anyone born after 1952 in P.R. is now a natural born citizen under jus soli rule

In 1947 P.R. is given the right to elect its own governor Luis Munoz Marin is now governor President Truman signs into law Public Act 600 Puerto Rico can now establish its own constitution The island is now considered a Commonwealth and a flag is also designed During the 1960’s some islanders want to remain a Commonwealth while others campaign for statehood

Throughout the 1990’s islanders vote again for 1 of 5 choices Remain a U.S. Commonwealth, enter into a free association with the U.S., become a state, declare independence or none of the above None of the above was the majority vote by islanders