Spanish 5/6: Puerto Rico's Independence Day

Independence Day Research

El Grito de Lares

The Grito de Lares is the name given to the revolution against

Spain

for Puerto Rico's independence. This took place in the town of Lares on September 23, 1868 in Latin America

Confrontation at San Sebastián

The next day, on September 24th, rebel forces departed to take over the next town, San Sebastián del Pepino.

The Puerto Rican militia surprised the Spanish army with strong resistance

The Spanish Army moved their troops from San Juan, Mayagüez, Ponce, and several other towns.

Leaders and Important Figure

Manuel Rojas:

Manuel Rojas was Commander in Chief of the Puerto Rican Liberation Army. During this revolt, he was imprisoned in the jail of Arecibo and sent into exile. Little is known about what he did after he went into exile except that he died on October 14, 1903, in Boconó.

Mariana Bracetii: Mariana Bracetii supported Commander Rojas in the Revolution. She was imprisoned in the jail of Arecibo and sentenced to death. She fled and went into hiding after this sentence.

Puerto Rican Flag

The origins of the current flag of Puerto Rico, adopted in 1952, can be traced to 1868, when the first Puerto Rican flag, "The Revolutionary Flag of Lares", was conceived by Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances and embroidered by Mariana "Brazos de Oro" Bracetti.

"The meaning of these various shapes and colors has changed somewhat over the years but it is generally accepted that the red stripes symbolize the 'blood' that nourishes the government or that of brave warriors. The white stripes symbolize victory, liberty and independence. The blue triangle represents both the three sides of government and the blue waters of the ocean, while the white star symbolizes the island-country of Puerto Rico."

U.S. troops landed at Guánicaon July 25, 1898, and occupied the island without much difficulty. By the Treaty of Paris (Dec. 10, 1898), which ended the war, Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States.

Puerto Rico is now a part of the United States of America and follows our constitution. The current Puerto Rico leader is the president of the U.S.A.

Independence Day Celebration