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Nov 19, 1493
Columbus discovers Puerto Rico
Wikipedia (History of Puerto Rico)Discovered the island on his second voyage and named it San Juan Bautista. At the time of Columbus' arrival, an estimated 30 to 60 thousand Taíno Amerindians, led by the cacique (chief) Agüeybaná, inhabited the island. They called it Boriken, "the great land of the valiant and noble Lord". -
Jan 1, 1508
Caparra, Puerto Rico First Capital
Spanish settlers called Caparra, the island's first capital, La Ciudad de Puerto Rico (the city of Puerto Rico). Ponce de León, Puerto Rico's first governor, established this first European settlement in 1508. His great ambitions for the settlement collapsed, however, due to the capital's vulnerability to Indian attack. Formal abandonment of Caparra occurred between 1519 and 1521, and the capital was moved to what is now old San Juan. -
Jan 1, 1511
The drowning of Diego Salcedo
In 1511, the Taínos revolted against the Spanish; cacique Urayoán, as planned by Agüeybaná II, ordered his warriors to drown the Spanish soldier Diego Salcedo to determine whether the Spaniards were immortal. After drowning Salcedo, they kept watch over his body for three days to confirm his death. -
Aug 8, 1511
Pope Julius II established three dioceses in the New World
On August 8, 1511, Pope Julius II established three dioceses in the New World, one in Puerto Rico and two on the island of Hispaniola under the archbishop of Seville. The Canon of Salamanca, Alonso Manso, was appointed bishop of the Puerto Rican diocese. -
Jan 1, 1513
African slaves first arrived to PR
Within 50 years the Taino culture was decimated under Spain. -
Sir Francis Drake tried to loot San Juan
English privateer Sir Francis Drake—with 27 vessels and 2,500 troops—sailed into San Juan Bay intending to loot the city. However, they were unable to defeat the forces entrenched in the forts. -
Royal Navy land troops in Santurce
Royal Navy, led by George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, landed troops from 21 ships to the east in Santurce. -
Puerto Rico recognizes "private property"
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Puertorrican fight in the American Revolutionary War
Puerto Ricans fight in the American Revolutionary War under the command of Bernardo de Gálvez, Puerto Ricans participated in the capture of Pensacola, the capital of the British colony of West Florida and the cities of Baton Rouge, St. Louis and Mobile. -
Cédula Real de Gracias
King Ferdinand VII of Spain approved the Spanish Royal Decree of Graces (Cédula Real de Gracias), which granted Cuba and Puerto Rico the right to have commercial ties with countries which were in good standing with Spain. -
Governor Juan de la Pezuela Cevallos, founded the Royal Academy of Belles Letters.
This institution contributed greatly to the intellectual and literary progress of the Island. The school licensed primary school teachers, formulated school methods, and held literary contests. -
First hurricane recorded in the island.
On September 5, a hurricane strikes the island. -
Vieques is annexed to Puerto Rico.
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Mutiny by the San Cristóbal artillery brigade against the Spanish crown.
The castle is held by rebels for 24 hours causing panic in the city when the cannon are turned around and aimed at the city streets. -
The telegraph is introduced in Puerto Rico
The telegraph is introduced into the island with the assistance of Samuel F. B. Morse in Hacienda La Enriqueta in Arroyo. His daughter and son-in-law Edward Lind had a plantation outside Arroyo. -
Morse line first used in Puerto Rico
Morse he first lines transmitted by Morse that day in Puerto Rico were: "Puerto Rico, beautiful jewel! When you are linked with the other jewels of the Antilles in the necklace of the world's telegraph, yours will not shine less brilliantly in the crown of your Queen!". -
The Pilgrimage of Bayoán by Eugenio Maria de Hostos is published
The Pilgrimage of Bayoán by Eugenio Maria de Hostos is published, reveals on a fiction tone restrictions of the Spanish Colonial regime. The book is suppressed by the Spanish Government. This may be the first published literature manifest against colonialism in Puerto Rico. -
Jose Lemery make appropriations for rural schools.
On February 1, all municipalities were required by order of the Governor, José Lemery, to make appropriations for rural schools. -
Puerto Rico Population in 1867
Puerto Rico reach a population of 656,328; its population recorded as 346,437 whites and 309,891 "of color" (this category included blacks, mulatos and mestizos). The majority of Puerto Ricans lived in extreme poverty. Agriculture was the main source of income, but limited by lack of roads, rudimentary tools and equipment, and natural disasters. While illiteracy was 83.7 percent, the intellectual minority remained relatively active within the limitations imposed by local Spanish authorities. -
First recorded earthquacke in Puerto Rico
On November 18, an earthquake occurred with an approximate magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale[Glos.]. The epicenter was located in the Anegada Passage, between Puerto Rico and St. Croix, Virgin Islands. The earthquake produced a tsunami[Glos.] that ran inland almost 150 meters (490 feet) in the low parts of the coast of Yabucoa. -
Hurricane Narciso strickes the island
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El Grito De Lares
Hundreds of men and women in the town of Lares—stricken by poverty and politically estranged from Spain—revolted against Spanish rule, seeking Puerto Rican independence. The most important figures in the uprising were Manuel Rojas, Mathias Bruckman, Joaquín Parilla, and Francisco Ramírez. Manuel Rojas plantation located in Lares became the headquarters for like-minded revolutionaries who would push for a split from Spain. -
The first political parties are organized in the island.
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First Political Parties in Puerto Rico
On November, the Liberal Reformist Party is founded. Two factions were formed: (1) Traditionalist assimilation into the political party system of Spain; and (2) autonomist decentralization away from the Spanish control. Known as the Partido Liberal Reformista (Liberal Reformist Party), led by Román Baldorioty de Castro, José Julián Acosta, Nicolás Aguayo and Pedro Gerónimo Goico. The two factions became the first true political organizations in the island. -
Moret Law is approved to free "some" slaves.
On June 4, as a result of Roman Baldorioty de Castro, Luis Padial and Julio Vizcarrondo efforts, the Moret Law is approved, with this law liberty was given to slaves born after September 17, 1868 and to slaves over 60 years old. -
Slavery abolished in Puerto Rico.
Leaders of the Puerto Rican abolitionist movement, including José Julián Acosta, Francisco Mariano Quiñones, Julio L. de Vizcarrondo, Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis, waged a long struggle to end slavery on the island. On March 22, 1873, the Spanish National Assembly finally abolished slavery in Puerto Rico. The owners were compensated with 35 million pesetas per slave, and slaves were required to continue working for three more years. -
Spain proclaims "El Yunque" a forest reserve.
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Hurricane San Felipe
On September 13-17, Hurricane San Felipe I strikes the island. -
September 1-5, a hurricane strikes the island.
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The railroad is inaugurated.
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San Ciriaco Hurricane
On August 18-22, a hurricane strikes the island. The winds reached speeds of 90 miles per hour. It is estimated that more than 3,000 people died. The hurricane is named San Ciriaco for the name of the saint on whose day the hurricane struck Puerto Rico. -
Electrical lighting is established in San Juan.
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Saint Roque Hurricane
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Banco Popular de Puerto Rico is founded
On October 5, the Banco Popular de Puerto Rico is founded. It is the largest bank on the island. -
Puerto Rican flag is first used
The Puerto Rican flag is first used on December 22nd and adopted as a national symbol. -
Carta Autonomica
The Carta Autonómica (Charter of Autonomy), which conceded political and administrative autonomy to the island, was approved in Spain. -
Manuel Macías y Casado named Governor General and Captain General of Puerto Rico
On January 17, 1898, Macías was named Governor General and Captain General of Puerto Rico. With the eruption of the Spanish–American War, Macías declared martial law, resolving to resist the American forces.[ -
New Puerto Rico Autonomous Government
The new government officially began. Local legislature set its own budget and taxes. They accepted or rejected commercial treaties concluded by Spain. -
Puerto Rico's autonomous government began to function
General elections were held in March and on July 17, 1898 Puerto Rico's autonomous government began to function, but not for long... -
U.S. troops invade Puerto Rico
The military campaign in Puerto Rico lasted nineteen days. Five U,S, and seventeen Spanish soldiers died during the war in Puerto Rico. -
Cease fire was decreted in the Spanish/American War
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The Treaty of Paris
December 10, 1898, the Treaty of Paris was signed (ratified by the US Senate February 6, 1899). Spain renounced all claim to Cuba, ceded Guam and Puerto Rico and its dependent islets to the United States, and transferred sovereignty over the Philippines to the United States and in turn was paid $20,000,000 ($570 million in 2015 dollars) by the U.S. General John R. Brooke became the first United States military governor of the island. -
General George W. Davis succeeded to Island command.
On May, Freedom of assembly, speech, press, and religion were decreed and an eight-hour day for government employees was established. A public school system is started and the U.S. Postal service is extended to the Island. The highway system was enlarged, and bridges over the more important rivers were constructed. The government lottery was abolished, cockfighting was forbidden, and a beginning was made toward the establishment of a centralized public health service. -
US federal military forces changed the name of the island to Porto Rico.
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Currency is exchanged, Puerto Rican peso to the dollar.
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First boxing match
On January 15, the first boxing match is held in Puerto Rico. -
José Celso Barbosa founded the Partido Republicano
On July 4, José Celso Barbosa founded the Partido Republicano (Puerto Rican Republican Party) in the aftermath of the Spanish-American War. The party embraced the idea of annexation to the US as a solution to the colonial situation. -
Hurricane San Ciriaco
On August 8, Hurricane San Ciriaco strikes the island. It rained for 28 days straight and the winds reached speeds of 100 miles per hour. The loss of life and property damage were immense. Approximately 3,400 people died in the floods and thousands were left without shelter, food, or work. The sugar and coffee industry was devastated. -
Another hurricane
On August 22, a hurricane strikes the island. -
The Department of Education was created
The Department of Education was formed with Dr. M. G. Braumbaugh (later governor of Pennsylvania) the first Commissioner of Education. The method of of teaching was entirely in English with Spanish treated as a special subject. -
Foraker Act
On April 2, 1900, U.S. President McKinley signed a civil law that established a civilian government in Puerto Rico. This law was known as the Foraker Act for its sponsor, Joseph Benson Foraker (an Ohio statesman), and also as the Organic Act of 1900. The new government had a governor and an executive council appointed by the President, a House of Representatives with 35 elected members, a judicial system with a Supreme Court, and a non-voting Resident Commissioner in Congress. -
Governor Charles H. Allen becomes governor of Puerto Rico
The first civil governor of the island under the Foraker Act was Charles H. Allen, inaugurated in San Juan, Puerto Rico. -
First Resident Commissioner of PR to US
The Hollander Law was approved, giving Puerto Rico a Resident Commissioner in Washington. On March 4, Federico Degetau takes office in Washington as the first Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico -
The Puerto Rico Telephone Company was inaugurated.
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English becomes the official government language
On November 4, the second elections under Foraker Act were celebrated (registered voters 158,924). The Official Languages Act (under the Foraker Act) was instituted which declared that in all insular governmental departments, courts, and public offices, English was to be regarded as co-official with Spanish, and when necessary, translations and interpretations from one language to the other would be made so that all parties could understand the proceedings. -
Culebra surrendered to US Navy
Roosevelt signed an executive order to surrender the Culebra to Navy Control. -
Luquillo Forest Reserve
On January 17, U.S. officially designates Luquillo Forest Reserve the only tropical rain forest in the National Forest System, the first created by President Theodore Roosevelt. -
University of Puerto Rico Founded
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First universal suffrage was established
First universal suffrage was established, men over 21 years old were allow to participated. -
Beeckman Winthrop became the governor of Puerto Rico
On July 4, Beeckman Winthrop became the governor of Puerto Rico and served until 1907. -
Escudo de Armas
On March 9, a law establishing the official coat of arms was signed. The original coat of arms was granted by the Spanish Crown in 1511. -
First Presidential visit to PR
On November 6, President Theodore Roosevelt leaves Washington D.C. for a 17 day trip to Panama and Puerto Rico, becoming the first president to make an official visit outside of the U.S. -
US Citizenship for Puertorricans is suggested
On December 11, during a visit to Puerto Rico, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt addressed the Puerto Rican Congress and recommended that Puerto Ricans become United States citizens. -
The Jones-Shafroth Act
President Woodrow Wilson (D) (28TH President) signed the Jones-Shafroth Act. This law gave Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship. The law separated the Executive, Judicial, and Legislative branches of Puerto Rican government, provided civil rights to the individual, and created a locally elected bicameral legislature. Rep. William Atkinson Jones, (D-Virginia) and Sen. John Shafroth, (D-Colorado) sponsored the legislation. -
President Wilson compulsory military service act
On May 18, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signs compulsory military service act into law. The act required all men in the U.S. between the ages of 21 and 30 to register for military service. 20,000 islanders are drafted into World War I. -
"El Imparcial" newspaper is founded.
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The day the earth shook
An earthquake occurred, with an approximate magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale, accompanied by a tsunami reaching 6.1 metres (20 ft) in height. The epicenter was located northwest of Aguadilla in the Mona Passage (between Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic). This earthquake caused great damage and loss of life at Mayagüez, and lesser damage along the west coast. -
"El Mundo" newspaper is founded.
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The Puerto Rican National Guard is founded
The Puerto Rican National Guard is founded, by MG Luis Esteves who was the first Puerto Rican Graduate of West Point. -
Emmet Montgomery Reily - Governor
On July 30, 1921, President Harding nominated Reily as Governor of Puerto Rico. He was a strong supporter of "Americanism", the introduction of some aspects of mainland United States culture and their advancement over native Puerto Rican culture. In his inauguration address, he insisted that the United States flag should be the only flag used over the island. Reily was an extremely unpopular governor. -
Balzac v. Puerto Rico
In the case of Balzac v. Porto Rico (258 U.S. 308) the U.S. Supreme Court declared that Puerto Rico was a territory rather than a part of the Union. The decision stated that the U.S. constitution did not apply in Puerto Rico. -
The Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
Birth of the Partido Nacionalista de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rican Nationalist Party), led by president Pedro Albizu Campos -
WKAQ was inaugurated
On December 3, the first radio station WKAQ was inaugurated. -
Partial women's vote
Women who knew how to read and write could vote. In 1932, thousands of women voted for the first time, resulting in the election of Isabel Andreu and María Luis Arcelay to the Legislature. -
Masacre de Ponce
Video historico de eventos que llevaron a la masacreThe police, under the orders of General Blanton Winship, the US-appointed colonial Governor of Puerto Rico, opened fire at the peaceful Puerto Rican Nationalist Party parade, bringing about what came to be known as the "Ponce Massacre": 19 people (including two policemen) were killed and over 100 were wounded. -
Ley De La Mordaza
June 10, 1948, Piñero signed the infamous "Ley de la Mordaza" (Gag Law). Law 53, as it was officially known, was passed by the Puerto Rican legislature presided by Luis Muñoz Marín on May 21, 1948. The Law made it illegal to display the Puerto Rican flag, sing a patriotic song, talk about independence or to fight for the liberation of the island. It resembled the anti-communist Smith Law passed in the United States. -
Primeras Elecciones Generales
The U.S. Congress passed an act allowing Puerto Ricans to elect their governor. -
Primer Gobernador the Puerto Rico toma posecion.
Luis Muñoz Marín, president of the Puerto Rican Senate, successfully campaigned and became the first democratically elected Governor of the island. -
Hurricane Maria
Maria then directly hit Puerto Rico as a Category 4 with 155-mph winds, making it the third-strongest storm to make landfall in the U.S.
