BoricuaFirst where Boricuas, Puerto Ricans meet on the internet. The Puerto Rican Flag

The Puerto Rican Flag

"Que bonita bandera. La Bandera Puertorriquena." Definitely beautiful but where did that flag come from? Who designed it? And what does it mean?

When asked, many can identify it: Red, white and blue with five horizontal red and white strips and a white star centered in a blue triangular field on the top corner of the hoist side. The red stripes represent the brave warriors' blood while the white are symbolic of the victory and peace of gaining independence. The star represents the island, the triangle indicates three branches of government, and the blue field signifies the sky and coastal waters.

The Puerto Rican flag is the inverse of the Cuban flag, reflecting the comradery of 19th century Cuban and Puerto Rican patriots in exile.

Created by the Puerto Rican portion of the Cuban Revolutionary Party, to advocate independence from Spanish rule, the flag's actual author remains controversial and uncertain. Some possible creators include Gonzalo (Pachin) Marin, Antonio Velez Alvarado or Manuel Besosa. Marin was said to have presented a flag prototype to the Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee in New York City since then he has received primary credit.

Another rumor is that Velez Alvarado was said to have stared at the Cuban flag for several minutes before seeing it inverted as an optical illusion against the white wall of his Manhattan apartment.

And finally, Manuel Besosa's daughter wrote a letter stating she sewed the flag creating a belief that he could have been its designer. The original, created in 1895, contained a light blue hue in its design, yet a darker blue tone was later chosen for today's official flag. Adopted in 1952, the very day Puerto Rico became a commonwealth or a "free associated state", the darker blue represented a severance from the flag's original revolutionary ties.

In 1898 when Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States, the Puerto Rican flag became the mark of resistance to the invasion and it was considered a felony to display it in public. Anyone caught doing so was arrested on charges of insubordination against the United States. During that time the only flag permitted to be flown on the island was the U.S. stars and stripes.

Then in 1948, when Luis Munoz Marin was elected governor of Puerto Rico, his administration adopted the dark blue version making it the official Island flag. To date it has only flown along side the United States flag.

The shade of blue used on the flags tends to correspond with political views. Pro-independence groups prefer the original lighter blue, while those who favor statehood use the darker shade, more closely representing the American flag.

Regardless of the hue, the flag remains a symbol of pride for Puerto Ricans everywhere...

http://www.Boricuacentral.com offers puerto rican flags and other types of Puerto Rican souvenirs that are designed to celebrate the culture and pride of the Puerto Rican people.

El Descubrimiento de Puerto Rico

Encabezado por la nave Santa María la Galante (en honor a la zozobrada Santa María), el segundo viaje de Cristóbal Colón partió del puerto de Cádiz, el 25 de septiembre de 1493. La expedición contaba con el arzobispo de Sevilla, Juan Rodríguez de Fonseca, y otros religiosos quienes se harían cargo de la misión más importante de este viaje: la evangelización de los habitantes del Nuevo Mundo.

La colonización, entonces, se iniciaba de forma muy organizada. Para estos fines, los barcos cargaban con semillas, plantas y animales, así como con tripulantes que ejercían todo tipo de oficios. Colón tenía la responsabilidad de establecer colonias en América... Leer El Descubrimiento de Puerto Rico.

Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizens... but why?

Christopher Columbus discovered Puerto Rico on his second voyage to the new world. This happened on November 19, 1493, somewhere on the western shore, most likely in what is today the town of Aguada. They named the island San Juan Bautista (St. John the Baptist).

Spain granted autonomy to Puerto Rico, by decree, in November of 1897. Puerto Ricans held elections and on July of 1898 the autonomous government of the island began to exist, although not for very long.

A war between Spain and the United States, “The Spanish-American War”, broke out in April of 1898. On July 25, 1898, the United States invaded Puerto Rico. More than 16,000 American troops entered the island through the southwestern town of Guanica... Read the complete essay "Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizens...

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The Spanish-American War

Of all Spanish colonial possessions in the Americas, Puerto Rico is the only territory that never gained its independence. Internal and geopolitical dynamics during the last quarter of the nineteenth century, nevertheless, brought dramatic political, social, and economic changes to the island, setting the stage for the development of its national institutions and the transformation of its political system as a United States territory during the twentieth century.

After four centuries of Spanish colonial rule, the period between 1860 and 1898 witnessed a pro-independence rebellion, colonial reform, the establishment of the first national political parties, the abolition of slavery, and a short-lived experiment in autonomy under Spanish rule... Read "The Changing of the Guard by Marisabel Bras, Ph.D.

Slavery in Puerto Rico

Leaders of the Puerto Rican abolitionist movement, including Jose Julian Acosta, Francisco Mariano Quinones, Ramon Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis, waged a long struggle to end slavery on the island. On March 22, 1873, the Spanish National Assembly finally abolished slavery in Puerto Rico. The owners were compensated with 35 million pesetas per slave, and slaves were required to continue working for 3 more years. Read "Slavery in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico... the perfect place for a dream vacation!

Puerto Rico is one of the most "hunted" places for a vacation by tourists all over the world. And it is no wonder why the popularity of this place is so high... Its rich culture, beautiful landscapes and wide range of choices regarding how to spend your free time during your staying are pretty convincing for anyone.

If you think heaven is out of reach, then you should try choosing as a travel destination Puerto Rico... Read "The perfect place for a dream vacation"

Los Tainos... una sociedad igualitaria

La cultura taína comenzó a desarrollarse gradualmente, a medida que oleadas migratorias provenientes del norte de Sudamérica se establecieron en la Isla. Se manifestó, inicialmente, como la cultura ostiones o pretaína. Ésta era un poco más primitiva que la cultura que conocieron los españoles, pero... Los Tainos