History of Puerto Rico in Timeline

Puerto Rico is a self-governing Caribbean archipelago and island, functioning as an unincorporated territory of the United States. Situated about 1,000 miles southeast of Miami, it lies between the Dominican Republic and the U.S. Virgin Islands. It comprises the main island and several smaller islands like Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. Home to roughly 3.2 million residents, Puerto Rico is divided into 78 municipalities, with San Juan as its capital and most populous city. Both Spanish and English serve as official languages, although Spanish is the predominant language.

1900: Establishment of Civil Government

In 1900, the Foraker Act established a civil government in Puerto Rico, ending the rule by American generals and the Department of War.

1901: U.S. Government Assumes Control of Puerto Rico

In 1901, after the U.S. government assumed control of Puerto Rico, legal reforms were initiated, adopting criminal law, criminal procedure, and civil procedure codes modeled after those in effect in California.

1902: English-only language law

Despite a 1902 English-only language law, Spanish has been the only official language of the entire Commonwealth judiciary system.

March 1903: University of Puerto Rico Founded

On March 12, 1903, the University of Puerto Rico was officially founded, evolving from the "Escuela Normal Industrial" established three years prior in Fajardo.

1906: U.S. Constitution Applied

In 1906, the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Ortega v. Lara affirmed that the U.S. Constitution applied within Puerto Rico's territory and that any domestic Puerto Rican laws which did not conflict with it remained in force.

1907: Antonio Paoli's Opera Recording

In 1907, Antonio Paoli became the first operatic artist to record an entire opera, participating in a performance of Pagliacci by Ruggiero Leoncavallo in Milan, Italy.

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1917: Puerto Ricans made U.S. citizens

In 1917, Puerto Ricans "were collectively made U.S. citizens" as a result of the Jones–Shafroth Act.

1917: Jones Act Grants Citizenship

In 1917, the Jones Act made Puerto Ricans U.S. citizens. The Jones Act paved the way for drafting Puerto Rico's Constitution.

1917: Puerto Ricans included in U.S. compulsory draft

Since 1917, Puerto Ricans have been included in the U.S. compulsory draft when it has been in effect.

1918: San Fermín Earthquake

In 1918, the San Fermín earthquake struck Puerto Rico on October 11, with an estimated magnitude of 7.5, causing widespread damage and casualties. It resulted in an estimated 116 deaths and $4 million in property damage and was accompanied by a tsunami.

1920: Ponce Creole Architectural Style

By 1920, the Ponce Creole architectural style was established, characterized by a blend of wood and masonry, and elements from Classical Revival, Spanish Revival, and Victorian styles, suited for the region's climate.

1920: Jones Act

In 2018, a study concluded that the 1920 Jones Act has no impact on either retail prices or the cost of living in Puerto Rico.

1920: Merchant Marine Act of 1920 (Jones Act)

One of the most cited contributors to the high cost of living in Puerto Rico is the Merchant Marine Act of 1920, also known as the Jones Act, which prevents foreign-flagged ships from carrying cargo between two American ports.

September 1928: Lake Okeechobee Hurricane

In September 1928, the Lake Okeechobee Hurricane (San Felipe Segundo) made landfall in Puerto Rico as a Category 5 hurricane, the only one to do so since 1851.

1930: Baloncesto Superior Nacional Beginning

Baloncesto Superior Nacional, the top-level professional basketball league in Puerto Rico, has experienced success since its beginning in 1930.

1931: Name Change Back to Puerto Rico

In 1931, the name of the island was officially changed back to Puerto Rico by a joint resolution in Congress, introduced by Félix Córdova Dávila, reverting from the anglicized "Porto Rico" used since 1898.

1937: Insular Territories Commemorated

In 1937, Puerto Rico was featured on a U.S. postal stamp commemorating Insular Territories, depicting 'La Fortaleza', the Spanish Governor's Palace.

1940: Founding of the Mita Congregation

In 1940, Juanita García Peraza founded the Mita Congregation, the first religion of Puerto Rican origin.

1943: Report by Irene Barnes Taeuber on census data

In 1943, Irene Barnes Taeuber, an American demographer, reported that some of the data from censuses of Puerto Rico conducted by Spain remained untabulated and were considered reliable.

May 1945: Establishment of PRASA

Law No. 40 of May 1945 designated the existence of the Puerto Rico Aqueducts and Sewers Authority (PRASA), the government-owned corporation responsible for water quality, management, and supply in Puerto Rico.

1948: First Olympic Medal

In 1948, Juan Evangelista Venegas won the first Olympic medal for Puerto Rico.

April 1949: Commemoration of First Free Election

On April 27, 1949, a 3-cent U.S. postal stamp was issued in San Juan, Puerto Rico, commemorating the first free election for governor of the U.S. territory, featuring Luis Muñoz Marín.

1950: Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act

In 1950, The Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act was enacted. Under this act, Puerto Rico sends a nonvoting representative to the U.S. Congress, called a Resident Commissioner, and participates in presidential primaries; Puerto Rico does not have a vote in the U.S. Congress, which oversees it.

1951: Puerto Rico Wins Baseball World Cup

In 1951, the Puerto Rico national baseball team won a gold medal at the World Cup of Baseball.

1951: Río Piedras Annexation

In 1951, the former independent municipality of Río Piedras was annexed to San Juan, which previously consisted of Old San Juan and Santurce.

July 25, 1952: Adoption of the Official Name

On July 25, 1952, the constitutional assembly adopted "Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico" (Free Associated State of Puerto Rico) as the official name in Spanish, suggested by Luis Muñoz Marín, with "Commonwealth of Puerto Rico" as the official English name.

1952: Approval of Territorial Constitution

In 1952, Congress approved a territorial constitution, enabling residents to elect a governor along with a senate and house of representatives.

1952: Constitution Approved

In 1952, Puerto Rico's Constitution was approved by Congress and Puerto Rican voters. Puerto Rico is one of five territories with less representation in the Federal government, along with the Federal District.

1952: Establishment of Sha'are Zedeck synagogue

In 1952, the island's first synagogue, Sha'are Zedeck, was established by American Jews.

1952: Dominance of Main Political Parties

Since 1952, Puerto Rico has had three main political parties: the Popular Democratic Party (PPD), the New Progressive Party (PNP) and the Puerto Rican Independence Party (PIP) that seek to address the political status of the island.

1957: Puerto Rico Joins FIBA

In 1957, the Puerto Rico national basketball team joined the International Basketball Federation.

1960: Census questionnaire changes

Between 1960 and 1990, the census questionnaire in Puerto Rico did not ask about race or ethnicity.

September 1971: San Juan 450th Anniversary Stamp

On September 12, 1971, an 8-cent stamp commemorated San Juan, Puerto Rico's 450th anniversary, featuring a sentry box from Castillo San Felipe del Morro.

1971: Foundation of Florida Municipality

In 1971, Florida was founded as the newest municipality in Puerto Rico.

1973: Roberto Clemente Enshrined

In 1973, Roberto Clemente was enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

1973: Issuance of Bonds

The government had already been issuing bonds to balance its actual budget for four decades beginning in 1973.

1979: Pan Am Games Hosted in San Juan

In 1979, San Juan hosted the Pan American Games.

October 1984: Visit by Pope John Paul II

In October 1984, Pope John Paul II visited Puerto Rico.

1984: San Juan Port Inspections Interceptions

Between 1984 and 2000, the San Juan PPQ station recorded 7.74% of all interceptions, #4 in the country.

1985: Pathogen Interceptions at San Juan Port

From 1999 to 2000, pathogen interceptions at the San Juan PPQ station were dramatically (17%) higher than in 1985–1986.

1986: Pathogen Interceptions at San Juan Port

From 1999 to 2000, pathogen interceptions at the San Juan PPQ station were dramatically (17%) higher than in 1985–1986.

1990: Census questionnaire changes

Between 1960 and 1990, the census questionnaire in Puerto Rico did not ask about race or ethnicity.

1991: Autonomous Municipalities Act of 1991

In 1991, under the Autonomous Municipalities Act, each municipality has a mayor and a municipal legislature elected for four-year terms.

1992: President Bush's Memorandum on Puerto Rico

In 1992, President George H. W. Bush issued a memorandum directing federal departments and agencies to treat Puerto Rico administratively as a state, provided it didn't disrupt federal programs.

1992: FBI Makes Armed Carjacking a Federal Crime

In 1992, the FBI made armed carjacking a federal crime.

1993: Central American and Caribbean Games in Ponce

In 1993, Ponce hosted the Central American and Caribbean Games.

1993: U.S. Atlantic Command

In 1993, U.S. Atlantic Command became USACOM, retaining authority over U.S. military operations throughout the Atlantic.

1994: Gold at Goodwill Games

In 1994, the Puerto Rico national basketball team won gold at the Goodwill Games.

1997: Protestant population assessment

In 1997, a researcher gave a more conservative assessment of the proportion of Protestants, finding a population of approximately 33 to 38 percent.

1998: Endemic Species Recognized

As of 1998, 239 plants, 16 birds and 39 amphibians/reptiles were recognized as species endemic to the archipelago of Puerto Rico.

1998: Denominational breakdown

In 1998, pollster Pablo Ramos stated that the population was 38 percent Catholic, 28 percent Pentecostal, and 18 percent independent churches.

1999: Pathogen Interceptions at San Juan Port

From 1999 to 2000, pathogen interceptions at the San Juan PPQ station were dramatically (17%) higher than in 1985–1986.

1999: Orlando Cepeda Enshrined

In 1999, Orlando Cepeda was enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

1999: U.S. Atlantic Command Renamed

In 1999, the U.S. Atlantic Command was renamed U.S. Joint Forces Command and given a new mission. Puerto Rico then fell under the responsibility of U.S. Northern Command.

2000: Education Attainment

According to the 2000 Census, 60.0% of the Puerto Rican population attained a high school degree or higher, and 18.3% held a bachelor's degree or higher.

2000: San Juan Port Inspections Interceptions

Between 1984 and 2000, the San Juan PPQ station recorded 7.74% of all interceptions, #4 in the country.

2000: 2000 population peak

In 2000, the commonwealth's population peaked at 3,808,610.

2000: 2000 count of Indigenous people

In the 2010 census, 19,839 respondents identified as "American Indian or Alaskan Native", an increase of almost 49 percent from 2000 count.

2000: 2000 United States Census

The 2000 United States Census included a racial self-identification question in Puerto Rico.

2000: Structural Deficit

The practice of approving budgets with a structural deficit has been done for 25 consecutive years starting in 2000.

2002: Literacy Rate

As of 2002, the literacy rate of the Puerto Rican population was 94.1%, with 93.9% for males and 94.4% for females.

2003: Montreal Expos Hosted in San Juan

In 2003, San Juan hosted the Montreal Expos for several series before the team moved to Washington, D.C.

2003: University of Puerto Rico genetic study

In 2003, a study by the University of Puerto Rico found that 61.1 percent of those surveyed had mitochondrial DNA of Indigenous origin.

August 2004: Puerto Rico Defeats USA in Olympics

On August 8, 2004, the Puerto Rico national basketball team defeated the United States 92-73 in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece, marking the first time a team with NBA players lost in an Olympic tournament.

2004: Montreal Expos Hosted in San Juan

In 2004, San Juan continued to host the Montreal Expos for several series before the team's relocation.

March 2006: World Baseball Classic in San Juan

In March 2006, San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium hosted the opening and second rounds of the newly formed World Baseball Classic.

2006: Puerto Rico Recession

Puerto Rico experienced a recession from 2006 to 2011.

2007: Telecommunications statistics

As of 2007, Puerto Rico had 30 TV stations, 125 radio stations, and approximately 1 million TV sets.

2007: Emergence of Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party

In 2007, the Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party was registered.

2007: Muslim population

In 2007, there were about 5,000 Muslims in Puerto Rico, representing about 0.13% of the population.

2008: Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party failed to obtain votes

In 2008, the Puerto Ricans for Puerto Rico Party ceased to remain as a registered party because it failed to obtain the required number of votes.

2008: Puerto Rico Soccer League Established

In 2008, the Puerto Rico Soccer League, the archipelago's first unified league, was established.

2009: Puerto Rico's Contribution to U.S. Treasury

In 2009, Puerto Rico contributed $3.742 billion to the U.S. Treasury. Residents paid into Social Security and were eligible for benefits, but were excluded from Supplemental Security Income and received less Medicaid funding than if it were a state. Medicare providers also received less reimbursement for services.

2009: UN Resolution on Decolonization

In 2009, the United Nations Special Committee on Decolonization approved a draft resolution calling on the U.S. government to expedite a process allowing the Puerto Rican people to exercise their right to self-determination and independence.

2010: Public and Private Schools

As of 2010, Puerto Rico had 1539 public schools and 806 private schools.

2010: Population data

Based on July 2019 estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of the Commonwealth had declined by 532,095 people since the 2010 Census data had been tabulated.

2010: Central American and Caribbean Games in Mayagüez

In 2010, Mayagüez hosted the Central American and Caribbean Games.

2010: Orthodox Christians

In 2010, Orthodox Christians accounted for one percent of the population.

2010: 2010 Census racial demographics

In 2010, nearly half of Puerto Ricans (49.8 percent) reported being multiracial—compared to just 3 percent.

2010: Life Expectancy in Puerto Rico

In 2010, the average life expectancy in Puerto Rico was 78.7 years.

2010: 2010 United States census results

In 2010, the population was 3,725,789, before declining.

2010: Increase in Indigenous identification

In the 2010 census, 19,839 respondents identified as "American Indian or Alaskan Native", an increase of almost 49 percent from the 2000 count.

2011: Roberto Alomar Enshrined

In 2011, Roberto Alomar was enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

2011: Puerto Rico Flag Forever Stamp

In 2011, as part of the "Flags of our nation series", a Forever stamp featuring the Puerto Rico Flag illustrated by a bird was issued.

2011: Median Home Value

In 2011, median home value in Puerto Rico ranged from U.S.$100,000 to U.S.$214,000, while the national median home value was $119,600.

2011: End of Puerto Rico Recession

Puerto Rico experienced a recession from 2006 to 2011.

November 2012: Referendum on Political Status

In November 2012, a two-question referendum was held alongside general elections. Voters rejected the current territorial status, and a majority favored statehood as an alternative.

2012: Adult literacy rate

A Pew Research survey indicated an adult literacy rate of 90.4% in 2012 based on data from the United Nations.

2012: Population decline

In 2012, Puerto Rico's population declined nearly 1% due to a falling birthrate and emigration.

2012: Emergence of Movimiento Unión Soberanista and Partido del Pueblo Trabajador

In 2012, the election saw the emergence of the Movimiento Unión Soberanista (English: Sovereign Union Movement) and the Partido del Pueblo Trabajador (English: Working People's Party).

2013: Continued population decline

In 2013, Puerto Rico's population declined an additional 1% (36,000 people) due to a falling birthrate and emigration.

2013: Government Accountability Office report on the Jones Act

In 2013, the Government Accountability Office published a report suggesting that repealing or amending the Jones Act cabotage law might reduce shipping costs for Puerto Rico. However, the report also acknowledged that modifying the Jones Act's application for Puerto Rico has highly uncertain effects for both Puerto Rico and the U.S.

2013: Puerto Rico Recession

Puerto Rico entered into recession again in 2013, following growing fiscal imbalance and the expiration of the IRS Section 936 corporate incentives.

March 2014: Associated Press article on Catholic identification

An Associated Press article in March 2014 stated that "more than 70 percent" of Puerto Ricans identified as Catholic.

2014: Congressional Gold Medal for 65th Infantry Regiment

In 2014, the 65th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army, nicknamed The Borinqueneers, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for its heroism during the Korean War.

2014: Homicide Rate in Puerto Rico

In 2014, the homicide rate in Puerto Rico was 19.2 per 100,000 inhabitants, significantly higher than any U.S. state. Most victims were gang members and drug traffickers, with approximately 80% of homicides being drug related.

2015: Jehovah's Witnesses representation

In 2015, the 25,832 Jehovah's Witnesses represented about 0.70% of the population, with 324 congregations.

2015: Commonwealth Defaulting on Debts

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico had been defaulting on many debts, including bonds, since 2015.

2015: Household Income Statistics

The U.S. Census Bureau's 2015 update states the household median income as $19,350 and the mean income as $30,463. The report also indicates that 45.5% of individuals are below the poverty level.

2016: Election of Jenniffer González-Colón

In 2016, Jenniffer González-Colón was elected as the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico. She received more votes than any other official elected in Puerto Rico that year.

2016: First Olympic Gold Medal

In 2016, Monica Puig won the first gold medal for Puerto Rico in the Olympic Games, winning the Women's Tennis singles title in Rio.

2016: PROMESA Act Established Control Board

In 2016, President Barack Obama signed into law H.R. 5278, PROMESA, establishing a Control Board over the Puerto Rican government with significant federal control.

2016: U.S. Supreme Court Decision on Double Jeopardy

In 2016, the U.S. Supreme Court held that a parallel accusation for a criminal act at the federal level and in a Commonwealth court in Puerto Rico would constitute double jeopardy.

July 1, 2017: Risk to Health Care Funding

According to a letter sent to Congress, without action before April, Puerto Rico's ability to execute contracts for Fiscal Year 2018 with its managed care organizations will be threatened, thereby putting at risk beginning July 1, 2017 the health care of up to 900,000 impoverished U.S. citizens living in Puerto Rico.

July 2017: PREPA Bankruptcy

In early July 2017, the PREPA power authority was effectively bankrupt after defaulting in a plan to restructure $9 billion in bond debt.

August 2017: Financial Oversight Board Plan

In early August 2017, the island's financial oversight board (created by PROMESA) planned to institute two days off without pay per month for government employees.

September 7, 2017: Hurricane Irma Impact

On September 7, 2017, Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 hurricane, struck Puerto Rico, causing substantial damage to the island.

September 20, 2017: Hurricane Maria Impact

On September 20, 2017, Puerto Rico was hit by Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 hurricane, causing extreme damage including power outages, cell service disruptions, and damage to infrastructure and health facilities.

2017: Hurricane Maria Damage

In 2017, Hurricane Maria caused severe damage to Puerto Rico and its infrastructure, disrupting tourism for many months. The damage was estimated at $100 billion.

2017: Impact of Hurricanes Irma and Maria

In 2017, Puerto Rico was affected by Category 5 Hurricane Irma and Category 4 Hurricane Maria, causing widespread and devastating impacts, particularly to the electric grid.

2017: Referendum in favor of Statehood

In 2017, a referendum was held in Puerto Rico, in favor of statehood although it was boycotted by some political opponents.

2017: Establishment of Eastern Catholic Church

In 2017, the first Eastern Catholic Church was established in Puerto Rico.

2017: Hospitals in Puerto Rico

In 2017, there were 69 hospitals operating in Puerto Rico.

2017: Puerto Rican Government-Debt Crisis

In early 2017, the Puerto Rican government-debt crisis posed serious problems for the government, which was saddled with outstanding bond debt that had climbed to $70 billion.

July 2018: Puerto Rico Law 120-2018 signed

On July 2018, Puerto Rico Law 120-2018 (Ley para Transformar el Sistema Eléctrico de Puerto Rico) was signed, authorizing PREPA to sell infrastructure and services to other providers.

2018: Risk to Health Care Funding

2018: Tourism Campaign Launched

In 2018, Discover Puerto Rico launched a tourism campaign intended to highlight the island's culture and history.

2018: Study on the Jones Act impact

In 2018, a study by Reeve & Associates and Estudios Tecnicos concluded that the 1920 Jones Act has no impact on either retail prices or the cost of living in Puerto Rico.

2018: PREPA monopoly until 2018

Until 2018, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) was the only entity authorized to conduct electricity generation, power transmission, and power distribution in Puerto Rico, effectively making it a government monopoly.

January 2019: Carjacking Problem in Puerto Rico

As of January 2019, the problem of carjackings continued in Puerto Rico, especially in municipalities like Guaynabo.

March 2019: Carjacking Statistics in Puerto Rico

From January 1, 2019, to March 14, 2019, thirty carjackings had occurred on the island of Puerto Rico.

April 2019: Tourism Recovery After Hurricane Maria

An April 2019 report indicated that only a few hotels were still closed, and life for tourists in and around the capital had, for the most part, returned to normal after Hurricane Maria.

July 2019: Population decline estimate

Based on July 2019 estimate by the U.S. Census Bureau, the population of the Commonwealth had declined by 532,095 people since the 2010 Census data had been tabulated.

October 2019: Tourism Rebounding

By October 2019, nearly all of the popular amenities for tourists, in the major destinations such as San Juan, Ponce, and Arecibo, were in operation on the island, and tourism was rebounding after Hurricane Maria.

2019: Tourism Campaign Continued

In 2019, Discover Puerto Rico planned to continue the tourism campaign launched in 2018.

January 2020: Earthquake

In January 2020, Puerto Rico experienced its largest earthquake since 1918, estimated at magnitude 6.4, resulting in economic losses estimated to be more than $3.1 billion.

June 2020: Contract signed with LUMA Energy

In June 2020, a contract was signed making LUMA Energy the new operator of the energy distribution and transmission infrastructure, as well as other areas of PREPA's operations.

November 2020: Statehood Referendum

In November 2020, Puerto Rico held a statehood referendum during the general elections, with 52% of voters answering yes to the question of whether Puerto Rico should be admitted into the Union as a State.

2020: Puerto Ricans living outside of Puerto Rico

According to the 2020 U.S. census, the number of Puerto Ricans living outside of Puerto Rico in the U.S. is almost twice as many as those living in Puerto Rico.

2020: 2020 United States census results

According to the 2020 United States census, Puerto Rico had 3,285,874 residents, an 11.8% decrease since 2010.

2020: Puerto Rico's Gross National Income per Capita

According to the World Bank, in 2020, the gross national income per capita in Puerto Rico was $21,740.

2020: 2020 Census racial demographics

As of 2020, Hispanic or Latinos made up 98.9 percent of the population, of which 95.5 percent were Puerto Rican and 3.4% were Hispanic of non-Puerto Rican origins; only 1.1 percent of the population was non-Hispanic.

2020: Population of San Juan

Based on the 2020 Census, the most populous municipality is the capital, San Juan, with 342,259 people.

2021: Average life expectancy

As of 2021, the average life expectancy in Puerto Rico is approximately 82.1 years, according to the CIA World Factbook.

2022: House passes PR Status Act

In 2022, the Puerto Rico Status Act, H.R. 8393, passed the House, but not the Senate, supporting PR making a binding referendum.

2022: Estimated evangelical population

It was estimated that Puerto Rico would become 75 percent evangelical by 2022.

2023: Temple dedication

In 2023, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dedicated a temple in San Juan, and reported having a membership of approximately 23,000 in the commonwealth.

November 5, 2024: Statehood wins Non-Binding Referendum and Jennifer Gonzalez wins Governor Office

On November 5, 2024, in a non-binding referendum, Statehood won with 59%. In addition, on November 5, 2024, Jennifer Gonzalez, who is pro-statehood, won the office of Governor of Puerto Rico in the 2024 general election with nearly 40% of the vote.