Puerto Rico Timeline

By arezu190
  • Voyager Christopher Columbus claims Puerto Rico for Spain.
    Nov 19, 1493

    Voyager Christopher Columbus claims Puerto Rico for Spain.

  • Spanish settlement begins; Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon arrives.
    Aug 14, 1508

    Spanish settlement begins; Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon arrives.

  • Under the Treaty of Paris, Puerto Rico is ceded by the Spanish to the US at the end of the Spanish-American War.

    Under the Treaty of Paris, Puerto Rico is ceded by the Spanish to the US at the end of the Spanish-American War.

    During the Spanish American War, U.S. forces invade Puerto Rico. In December, the Treaty of Paris ends the war and gives the U.S. possession of the island.
  • US Congress institutes civil government in Puerto Rico under the Foraker Act. US maintains strict control over island affairs, prompting demands for more local control.

    US Congress institutes civil government in Puerto Rico under the Foraker Act. US maintains strict control over island affairs, prompting demands for more local control.

    Which allows island residents to organize their own government.
  • Jones Act grants US citizenship to Puerto Ricans.

    Jones Act grants US citizenship to Puerto Ricans.

  • US appoints Jesus T Pinero as Puerto Rico's first governor.

    US appoints Jesus T Pinero as Puerto Rico's first governor.

  • Partial self-government granted, enabling Puerto Ricans to elect their own governor.

    Partial self-government granted, enabling Puerto Ricans to elect their own governor.

  • Partial self-government granted, enabling Puerto Ricans to elect their own governor.

  • Muñoz Marin elected as governor by popular vote. As leader of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), he serves four terms.

    Muñoz Marin elected as governor by popular vote. As leader of the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), he serves four terms.

  • Puerto Ricans vote overwhelmingly in favor of US commonwealth status in a referendum.

  • Puerto Rico's constitution is proclaimed, establishing a commonwealth with autonomy in internal affairs.

    Puerto Rico becomes a self-governing commonwealth of the U.S.

  • Residents vote to decide the island's political status. They refuse to apply for statehood. Puerto Rico remains a commonwealth.

  • Silla Maria Calderon elected as first female governor.

    Silla Maria Calderon elected as first female governor.

  • Aníbal Acevedo Vilá became the president.

    Aníbal Acevedo Vilá became the president.

  • Fugitive pro-independence rebel leader Filiberto Ojeda Rios is killed in a shoot-out with US federal agents. The handling of the incident causes anger on the island.

    Fugitive pro-independence rebel leader Filiberto Ojeda Rios is killed in a shoot-out with US federal agents. The handling of the incident causes anger on the island.

  • Fugitive pro-independence rebel leader Filiberto Ojeda Rios is killed in a shoot-out with US federal agents. The handling of the incident causes anger on the island.

  • - Puerto Rico adopts its first sales tax, aiming to address major budget deficits.

  • Fortuño of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party wins gubernatorial election and is inaugurated in January.

    Fortuño of the pro-statehood New Progressive Party wins gubernatorial election and is inaugurated in January.

  • President Barack Obama becomes first president since John F. Kennedy to make an official visit to Puerto Rico.

    President Barack Obama becomes first president since John F. Kennedy to make an official visit to Puerto Rico.

  • Popular Democratic Party candidate Alejandro Garcia Padilla becomes governor.

    Popular Democratic Party candidate Alejandro Garcia Padilla becomes governor.