Puerto Rican Documents Collection

Puerto Rico was colonized by Spain in 1493, and in 1898 by the United States when the island was invaded during the Spanish-American War.Throughout its history, there have movements in support of the right to self-determination and governance, and independence for Puerto Rico.

On September 23, 1868, one of the most significant rebellions against Spanish rule took place, known as El Grito de Lares or Lares Uprising, led by Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis. In the revolt, hundreds of people took the town of Lares, imprisoned Spanish leaders and merchants, the flag of Lares made by Mariana Bracetti was raised for the first time, the Republic of Puerto Rico was declared and a government composed only of Puerto Ricans was appointed. Although it only lasted one day, this was the first major uprising of Puerto Ricans against Spain.

In September 1922, the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico (Partido Nacionalista Puertorriqueño) was founded, its main purpose being the independence of Puerto Rico. In May 1930, Pedro Albizu Campos was elected its president and under his leadership, the liberation movement reached its national peak. Albizu Campos fought for the liberation of Puerto Rico and to end the colonial status imposed by the United States. As a result, the United States and the local colonial administration implemented severe repressive measures against Puerto Rican nationalists and the independence movement.

In October 1935, a student protest was held at the University of Puerto Rico in support of the workers' strikes. Five nationalist students traveling in a car were shot by the police. Four of them died, as well as an innocent bystander. The police claimed self-defense in this event, known as the Río Piedras Massacre. In March 1937, the Nationalist Party held a parade in the city of Ponce to commemorate the abolition of slavery, celebrate Palm Sunday, and protest the imprisonment by the United States of Pedro Albizu Campos on sedition charges. The government revoked the municipal permit they had to hold the parade and began firing into the demonstrators, killing 19 people and wounding 200 civilians, including women, children, and spectators. This event is known as the Ponce Massacre. In 1948, the Gag Law (Ley de Mordaza) was enacted, making it a crime to own or display a Puerto Rican flag, speak or write about independence, or hold any assembly in favor of Puerto Rican independence. During this time, the FBI carried out the Counter Intelligence Program (Cointelpro), a surveillance project called "carpetas", to monitor, infiltrate, discredit, and disrupt political organizations it classified as "subversive."

During the 1950s after years of persecution and oppression, the Nationalist Party started a series of armed revolts throughout various cities in Puerto Rico and the United States, calling for Puerto Rican independence and to end colonialism. On March 1, 1954, four nationalists: Lolita Lebrón, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Andrés Figueroa Cordero, and Irvin Flores Rodríguez, attacked the U.S. House of Representatives to call attention to Puerto Rico’s independence cause. Five members of congress were wounded. The four nationalists were tried and convicted in federal courts and sentenced to long prison terms.

As a result of colonialism, Puerto Ricans have migrated to the United States in large numbers since the 1950s to the present, mainly to survive recurring financial, governmental, employment, or environmental crises. During the late 1960s and 1970s, Puerto Ricans in the United States established different organizations in support of Puerto Rican causes, such as the right to self-determination and independence of Puerto Rico. This diaspora has been essential in supporting Puerto Rican interests and human rights.