Taino indians who inhabited the territory, called the island boriken or borinquen which means. For most of its history, the town survived on cane farming and cattle raising. The mountains are the easternmost extension of a tightly folded and faulted ridge that extends from the central american mainland across the northern caribbean to the lesser antilles. The first arawaks, the archaic indians from venezuela, are believed to have been in puerto rico as early as 4500 b. Although in theory you can drive round puerto rico in a day, with.
Court cases pdf that declared it an unincorporated territory with no clear path to statehood. Puerto ricos political status remains a source of controversy. Cultureseekers will be astounded at the 110by35mile islands rich heritage and history, from old san juans charms to folk art and festivals in the outlying towns. The easternmost island of the greater antilles chain, it lies approximately 50 miles 80 km east of the dominican republic, 40 miles 65 km west of the virgin islands, and 1,000 miles. Statehood would give puerto rico representation in the us congress and would make the island eligible for billions of dollars more a year in food stamps, medical insurance, and income support payments, which are currently set at levels far below those of states. Records of the spanish governors of puerto rico concerning. Facts about puerto rico amador island tours puerto rico. History of puerto rico christopher columbus reached the island and claimed it for spain on november 19, 1493. When christopher columbus landed in puerto rico in 1493, he didnt tarry. As a result, puerto rican bloodlines and culture evolved through a mixing. Puerto rico has one of the worlds highest employee productivity ratios. Puerto rico is the 3rd country in the world with more physicians per capita. The history of puerto rico, from the spanish discovery to the.
The history of puerto rico, from the spanish discovery to. Puerto ricans voted 11 june 2017 for their fifth nonbinding plebiscite asking voters if they want to be a free nation, become the 51st us state or remain a us territory. The lost history of puerto ricos independence movement a new book by nelson denis uncovers the history of an illfated armed revolt on american soil. Other tribes, such as the saladoid and arawak native puerto ricans, populated the island between 430 bc and ad. In 1898, the united states invaded and colonized puerto rico as part of the spanish american war. This institution contributed greatly to the intellectual and literary progress of the island. May 01, 2004 the history of puerto rico from the spanish discovery to the american occupation language. A brief history of the afroborincano by tony the marine santiago black history in puerto rico initially began with the african freeman who arrived with the spanish conquistadors. The spanishamerican war hispanic division, library of congress library of congress researchers hispanic reading room world of 1898.
Major contact judith conde state 4h program leader university of puerto rico botanical garden south 1204 ceiba street san juan, pr 009261120 phone. The school licensed primary school teachers, formulated school methods, and held literary contests. Guide to puerto rican records in the national archives at new york. The lost history of puerto ricos independence movement. Those seeking a specific event in puerto rico s history may find it easiest to explore a timeline. International publishers, 1982, describes the political and educational value of the practice, especially in raising the consciousness of workers who could barely read or write. Plaza in san juan, with city hall on the left image from robinson, p. Everyone knows san juan is the colonial heart of puerto rico.
As early as 2000 bc portions of puerto rico were settled by indian tribes. The early history of puerto rico is monopolized by a number of different indigenous tribes. In this lesson, learn about the original inhabitants of puerto rico, the history of this island, and its modern. While puerto rico was under spanish control for more than 400 years, from 1493 until 1898, the culture and history of the island has been shaped by numerous other cultures, including amerindian, african, and eventually american. Van middledyks work was the first major historical study of puerto rico in english. The preamble of the puerto rico constitution states. At the time of christopher columbuss arrival in the new world in 1493, the dominant indigenous culture was that of the tainos. This video shows a brief history of puerto rico on an animated map. The decline of the plantation economy and the puerto rican. The constitution of the commonwealth of puerto rico is the basic governing document of puerto rico. Although puerto rico had just begun its experiment with selfgovernment granted by the spanish rulers in 1897, its citizens initially greeted the transfer of ultimate authority from spain to the united states in 1898 with much enthusiasm because of the promise of the expansion of american democratic values and economic development.
For treatment of the island in its regional context, see latin america, history of, and west indies, history of. Puerto rico s vibrancy derives from more than 500 years of rich history and the subsequent blending of different cultures a fusion that extends to almost every aspect of the islands identity. Actually, he spent a grand total of two days here, claiming the island for spain, christening it san juan bautista saint john the baptist, and then moving on to richer pastures. Jan 25, 20 a very well and interestingly written synopsis of the european spaniards conquest of the caribbean islands, especially puerto rico. At the time of christopher columbuss arrival in the new world in 1493, the dominant indigenous culture was. The author gives full credence to opposing historians view points with concise and convincing explanations to support the authors historical record. However, in the early years of colonization, san german was the islands second city. Puerto rico is a commonwealth of the united states located in the atlantic ocean. From the interweaving of the taino, african, and spanish traditions emerged the puerto rican, a new. The spanish formally established san juan, puerto rico in 1521, ten years after establishing themselves on the island. For 114 years the people of puerto rico have maintained a polarizing debate on the status issue. A simple click on any of the events on this timeline will take you to an article exploring that event and time period in detail. Origins of the puerto rico fiscal crisis mercatus center. Today this word used in various modifications is still popularly used to designate the people and island of puerto rico.
Eventually, by ad the tainos indians had supplanted previous indigenous peoples that had all disappeared. He became the first bishop to arrive in the americas. Annaleswhen a student or a professor wanted to gather a general picture of the new interpretations on puerto rican. Puerto ricos history has bequeathed the island political institutions that. Puerto rico ranks 6th in the world when it comes to college graduates. In 1947, puerto rico is allowed to elect their own governor flores, 2010. Jesus colons a voice through the window in a puerto rican in new york and other sketches new york. See more ideas about puerto rico history, puerto rico and puerto rican culture. The oldest archaeological remains yet discovered were unearthed in 1948.
The ancient history of puerto rico begins with the ancient amerindians that first made the island their home. John the baptist the indigenous name for puerto rico is boreken, which means land of the valiant lord. He and his wife, chris woolwinemoen, produced thousands of. Morales carrion, former president of the university of puerto rico. By documenting federal activities over the course of puerto rican history for more than a. Nov 06, 2007 puerto rico history and heritage in puerto rico s secondlargest city, ponce, the ponce museum of art houses the most extensive art collection in the caribbean. Puerto rico began to produce cattle, sugar cane, coffee and tobacco, which led to the importation of slaves from africa. Van middledyk advanced puerto rican historiography by building on the. I used windows paint, windows movie maker, and paint. The tainos indians had also established themselves on many of the surrounding caribbean islands including cuba, jamaica. View history of puerto rico research papers on academia. Although the spanish occupation was the decisive factor defining puerto rico s current culture, the island was settled many thousands of years ago by amerindians. Puerto ricos true story of how it all began was with her first indigenous taino ancestor people that populated the island from either mexico or south america over 6,000 years ago.
The first inhabitants of puerto rico were huntergatherers who reached the island more than 1,000 years before the arrival of the spanish. Found in a limestone cave a few miles east of san juan, in. Although the spanish occupation was the decisive factor defining puerto ricos current culture, the island was settled many thousands of years ago by amerindians. Nov 06, 2007 puerto rico began to produce cattle, sugar cane, coffee and tobacco, which led to the importation of slaves from africa. Puerto rico is a territory of the united states, but the islands ambiguous status in relation to the united states has driven heated debate over the years between those who support its. History at a glance i am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the lord, as the prophet isaiah said. It argues that puerto rican historiography neglected and silenced the pivotal role of black puerto ricans in this historical event. If america was not given control of puerto rico about a century ago, they would have a different political system in place as well as different values.
History populated for centuries by aboriginal peoples, the island was claimed by the spanish crown in 1493 following christopher columbus second voyage to the americas. Puerto rico is largely composed of mountainous and hilly terrain, with nearly onefourth of the island covered by steep slopes. John moen is a cartographer who along with his wife are the orignal founders of. See historical weather data for a location and date. The roman catholic church established a diocese in puerto rico it was one of only three in the americas at the time and, in 1512, sent alonso manso, the canon of salamanca, to the island. The following information provides key contacts, links to history websites, museums, archives and other sources relating to state and local 4h history in puerto rico. A very well and interestingly written synopsis of the european spaniards conquest of the caribbean islands, especially puerto rico. The last colony a brief history of puerto ricos status. The history of puerto rico began with the settlement of the archipelago of puerto rico by the ortoiroid people between 3,000 and 2,000 bc. We, the people of puerto rico, in order to organize ourselves politically on a. It became known as puerto rico after 1521, when the city of san juan had been founded and given the islands original name. Those seeking a specific event in puerto ricos history may find it easiest to explore a timeline.
This is my first video, and im really excited to try more of these videos. Mar 26, 2017 tourists heading to puerto rico in search of the islands history would do well to visit san german. It is part of the greater antilles, a grouping of the larger islands in the caribbean. Puerto rico and the united states in search of a national. Weather history for places in puerto rico old farmers. The spaniards enslaved the tainos who were the native inhabitants of the island and many of them died as a result of the cruel treatment that they had received. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. The migration of the nomadic arawak peoples in 300 ad from present day venezuela began the next chapter in puerto rico history, before they were either replaced or adapted to include the first longstanding group of people to live on puerto rico. There are plenty of cell towers on the mountains of puerto rico and for the most part reception is great see cell signalsinternet in following section. Historic san german, puerto rico exploration vacation. The following discussion focuses on puerto rican history from the time of european settlement. Puerto rico cultural destinations travel smithsonian. Its now includes events up to 2005 such as the struggle for vieques. Brief background and recent developments for congress congressional research service 2 brief general background puerto rico has been the subject of strategic and political attention for more than 500 years.
If america was not given control of puerto rico about a century ago, they would have a different political system. Puerto rico has won the miss universe pageant a record five times. Puerto ricos cities and towns enjoy vibrant cultural lives rooted in their many museums and cultural institutions. The timeline shows that the casimiroid people first came about 4000 b. Puerto rico history and heritage travel smithsonian. Dec 29, 2015 in 1898, the united states invaded and colonized puerto rico as part of the spanish american war.
English and spanish are the two most widely spoken languages in puerto rico. Oct 27, 2017 puerto rico is an archipelago in the caribbean sea consisting of a main island and a handful of smaller ones. In san juan, the casals museum celebrates cellist pablo casals, whose life and. The large migration of puerto ricans to the united states took place after 1945 as a. Nov 03, 2017 this video shows a brief history of puerto rico on an animated map.