Puerto Rico History
Puerto Rico’s history goes back to the time where the Ortoiroid people settled on the archipelago of Puerto Rico between 3000 and 2000 B.C. Puerto Rican history also states that tribes such as the Saladoid and Arawak Indians populated the island between 430 B.C. and 1000 A.D. Christopher Columbus arrived in the New World in 1492, and at the time the indigenous culture was of the Tainos. Puerto Rico’s history can be traced back to when the Spanish Empire controlled Puerto Rico as a key asset. The island was a key military post during many wars between Spain and other European powers during the 16th though 18th centuries.
• Puerto Rican history is interesting because it was a key in many wars. Puerto Rico served as Spain’s final outposts in a strategy to regain control of the American continents. In 1898, during the Spanish-American war, Puerto Rico was invaded and became the possession of the United States. Scholars that are educated with Puerto Rico’s history will tell you that this is one of the darkest times in the islands history. It took many years for Puerto Rico to gain many of the democratic rights from the United States. The Foraker Act of 1900 was an integral part of Puerto Rico’s history. This established a civil government in Puerto Rico. Another big act in Puerto Rican history would be the Jones Act of 1917 which granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship, laid the groundwork for the drafting of Puerto Rico’s constitution and the establishment of democratic elections in 1952.
• Puerto Rico has been ruled by the United States since 1898 and a lot of good has come from it. Scholars that study Puerto Rico’s history will share with you that many ways of life were Americanized so to speak. The implementation of the eight hour work day for government employees was established, along with the Puerto Rican peso being changed to the United States dollar. Puerto Rican history was forever changed when freedom of assembly, speech, press and religion were decreed. The public school system was begun along with the U.S. Postal service. These were two of the brighter spots in Puerto Rico’s history. Other highlights under the U.S. rule in Puerto Rican history would be the abolishment of government lottery and cockfighting. The most important event in Puerto Rico’s history would also be the centralized public health service being established.
Puerto Rican history under the United States rule hasn’t been that bad. A lot of positives have come from this, most notably the heath service. Puerto Rico’s history health was terrible and a lot of epidemics were going around that could have been easily suppressed. Puerto Rican history involves a lot of turning points in many wars. Puerto Rico’s history is that of rich culture, arts, and eventful moments. Puerto Rico’s history involves much more events, but this article was designed to give you a brief sampler of some of the highlights in Puerto Rican history. Puerto Rico’s history goes back thousands of years, and that alone makes it worth visiting on vacation. People know about the beautiful beaches and resorts, but there is a lot of history to be soaked up as well.
