-
In 1898 the US entered the two islands and it changed their future. By the end of the war, Spains colonies in the Caribbean were under US control. After that the two islands diverged.
-
Cuba gets its independence but at the end of the century it would be defined by its relations with the US and its allies
-
Puerto Rico became a US “commonwealth” and by 1917 the people of Puerto Rico would all become US citizens
-
The Puerto Rican population voted to become a US commonwealth, rather then continuing to stay a US colony.
-
Fidel Castro led his army into Havana in January of 1959. He brought forward a new era in CUban life. He also launched a new era a emigration from his country to the US. Following this, more than 1 million Cubans would make their way to the US.
-
Air flights between the two countries were suspended
-
Between 1965 and 1973 a few flights resumed in Cuba, and 300,000 Cubans seized the oppurtunity to emigrate.
-
In 1980, the Cuban governemnt decried to open up the port vanity of Mariel to any Cuban who wanted to go to the US. Everyone came together to help and soon, a bunch of private yachts, merchant shuts and fishing boats arrived in Mariel to bring Cubans to Florida.
-
A New Yorker, named Nydia Velázquez became the very first woman of Puerto Rican descendent to be elected into the US Congress. Since the, the Puerto Rican’s now celebrate with a Puerto Rican parade with familiar performers.