History of Puerto Rico

Pre-1492 - Island is a homeland of the Taínos, a native people with links to the southern Arawak peoples of South America. They call the island Borikén.

1493 - Christopher Columbus landed on the island, claiming it for Spain.
Christopher Columbus arrives on his second voyage and claims the island for Spain, naming it San Juan Bautista.

1508 - Juan Ponce de León establishes a settlement on the San Juan Bay, and Spanish colonization begins.
Juan Ponce de León establishes the first Spanish settlement at Caparra, near present-day San Juan.

He becomes the island’s first governor.

1511 – Taíno Rebellion
After years of exploitation, forced labor, and disease, the Taíno people rise up against the Spanish. The revolt fails, and their population quickly declines.

1873 – Slavery Abolished
Spain finally abolishes slavery in Puerto Rico. Freedom is granted gradually with a system of indenture for former slaves.

1895 - PORTO RICO
Puerto Rico , West Indies . See PORTO RICO

Porto Rico , põr'to ree'ko ( Sp . Puerto Rico , pwêr'to ree'ko , i.e. , " rich port " ) , one of the Spanish West India Islands , the fourth in size of the Antilles , E. of Hayti and W. of the Virgin Islands , lat . ( S.W. point ) 17 ° 56 ' N. , lon . 67 ° 10 ' W. , 90 miles long from E. to W. , and 36 miles broad . A range of mountains runs through the island from E. to W. , its loftiest peak being 3678 feet high . In the interior are extensive savannas , on which numerous herds are pastured , and along the coasts are tracts of level , fer- tile land . Nearly the whole of the N. coast is lined with navigable lagoons , some of them 10 miles long , and many of the rivers can be navigated a distance of 5 or 6 miles , There are numerous bays and creeks , deep enough for vessels of considerable burden ; but the N. coast is subject to tremendous ground seas , which beat against the cliffs with great violence . Only three harbors are safe ,... Read MORE...

1898 - The United States invades Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War, and it is ceded to the U.S. under the Treaty of Paris.

1917 - Puerto Ricans are granted U.S. citizenship through the Jones Act.

1922 - Nationalist Party founded, demanding Puerto Rico’s independence from the U.S.

1946 - Puerto Rican Independence Party founded.

1948 - Luis Muñoz Marín becomes first elected governor of Puerto Rico.

1952 - Puerto Rico becomes a self-governing commonwealth of the United States.

2006 - The U.S. Supreme Court rejects an appeal for Puerto Ricans to have the right to vote in U.S. presidential elections.