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Period: Jan 1, 1400 to
Puerto Rico
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Jan 1, 1493
Columbus reaches Puerto Rico
On Columbus’s second journey to the new world he came upon Puerto Rico and called it San Juan Bautista. The only people who were living there at the time were the Tainos culture. As Spanish settlers came after discovery the culture was eventually wiped out. -
Jan 1, 1508
Juan Ponce de León forms the first permanent colony in Puerto Rico
After Columbus had discovered the island Juan Ponce de León came and took over what is now Puerto Rico. He easily took over the natives with firearms and more advanced weapons after which he formed the first colony and then became governor of the island. -
Jan 1, 1528
French troops attacked the island
In 1528 French troops were sent to the island to capture it. They burned the settlement San Germán and most other major settlements except the capital. -
Jan 1, 1540
Castillo San Felipe del Morro in San Juan under construction
Castillo San Felipe del Morro is a fort that was built in 1540 and finished in the year 1589. It was meant to defend San Juan harbour from seaborne enemies. It’s around six meters thick on the outer wallsand Castillo San Felipe del Morro itself takes up over 60 acres. The fort participated in both world wars and was a strong naval power. -
Epidemic strikes Puerto
Due to being constantly attacked by enemies many epidemics spread easily. There were lots of epidemics in Puerto Rico’s early history. None of the causes or death tolls are known. -
British attempt to take San Juan
In the year 1797 the British attempted to take over San Juan (Capital of Puerto Rico) with an estimated force of 4000-13000 soldiers and a large fleet of ships. The military of Puerto Rico had around 4000 soldiers defending from the British. The British land assault was lead bySir Ralph Abercrombie and its ships by Admiral Henry Harvey. In the end Puerto Rico won with little casualties. -
The slave trade banned nominally
In Puerto Rico they had many African American slaves that had been immigrated overseas. In the late 1800’s slaves were promised that they could buy or earn their freedom. This did little to help and there were many revolts among the slaves that were quickly ended. This ban put an end to the slavery in Puerto Rico. -
Hurricane strikes
In 1891 a large hurricane hit the island. The hurricanes wind speeds got up to 90 miles per hour. It was estimated that over 3000 Puerto Ricans died. -
Puerto Rico’s flag was first used Dec 22nd
The flags triangle represents the three parts of Republican government (executive, legislative and judicial). The red lines represent the blood of the people in those parts of government; the white stripes are for peace and the white star represents Puerto Rico’s Commonwealth. -
U.S. gains Puerto Rico in War
In the late 1890’s Spain and the U.S.A were fighting over Cuba as well as well as some of Spain’s colonies. That’s when the two Countries started a war. In the end U.S.A won and they took over Puerto Rico.
