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1493
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus claims Puerto Rico for Spain -
1493
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus claims Puerto Rico for Spain -
1508
Spanish Settlement Begins
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1508
Spanish Settlement Begins
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Treaty of Paris
Under the treaty of Paris, Puerto Rico is ceded to the United States by the Spanish at the end of the Spanish American War -
US congress
The United States congress begins instituting a civil government in Puerto Rico. The US continues to have strict control over the island's affairs. -
Territory
US officially claims Puerto Rico as a United States territory -
Jones Act
The Jones Act gives Puerto Ricans United States citizenship -
Self-Government
Partial self government is granted, allowing the citizens of Puerto Rico to be able to elect their own governor. -
Puerto Rican Constitution
President Truman signs the Puerto Rico Commonwealth Bill, paving the way for a Puerto Rican constitution. Nationalists oppose the new law and resort to violence. In November two US-based nationalists attempt to assassinate President Truman in Washington DC. -
Puerto Rican Constitution is proclaimed
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Official Languages
Spanish and English are established as the official languages of Puerto Rico -
Hurricane George
Hurricane George sweeps across Puerto Rico, causing serious damage. President Clinton declares Puerto Rico as a disaster zone. -
Bombs kill security guard
Off target bombs kill a security guard in Vieques, an island home to a US Navy bombing range. This triggers some large scale protests. -
First Female Governor
PPD's Sila Calderon elected as first female governor. -
Bombing Range Halt
President George W Bush agrees to halt the use of the Vieques bombing range -
Shootout with US federal agents
Fugitive pro-independence rebel leader Filiberto Ojeda Rios is killed in a shoot out with US federal agents. This causes anger on the island. -
Voting Rejection
US Supreme Court rejects an appeal for Puerto Ricans to be able to vote in US presidential elections. -
Budget Shortages
Due to budget shorts, many schools and government agencies are closed. People protest. -
Police with Drugs
Dozens of Puerto Rican police are held on drugs charges following the biggest police graft probe in FBI history. -
Obama Visits
Barack Obama was the first president to make an official visit to the island since JFK. -
$72 billion in debt
The governor warns that the island can not pay its $72 billion in debt. The island ends up defaulting on its debt for the first time. (Default occurs when a debtor is unable to meet the legal obligation of debt repayment) -
Maria
Hurricane Maria, a category 4 hurricane, hits Puerto Rico in September, leaving a trail of disaster behind. -
51st State
Puerto Rico votes overwhelmingly in favour of becoming America's 51st state, though only 23 percent of voters take part.