1493

Christopher Columbus discovered the island in his second voyage to the New World (Nov. 19). He found the island populated by as many as 60,000 Taino or Arawak Indians. The Taíno Indians who greeted Columbus made a big mistake when they showed him gold nuggets in the river and told him to take all he wanted. Originally the newcomers called the island "San Juan", for St. John the Baptist and the town Puerto Rico. It was not until later that the two names were switched. Thanks in part to the enthusiasm of ambitious Juan Ponce de León, lieutenant to Columbus, the city of Puerto Rico ("rich port") quickly became Spain's most important military outpost in the Caribbean.

1501

The Spanish Crown permitted export of slaves to America.

1508

Spanish colonization begins.
First School in Puerto Rico established in Caparra. (January 14)
Spaniard Juan Ponce de León founded the Caparra Village. (August 8)

1509

Juan Ponce de León was nominated first governor of the island.

1510

Differences between Spaniards and Taíno Indians began.
Diego Salcedo is killed by Taíno Indians.

1511

The Taíno Indians revolt against Spaniards with no success. Ponce de León orders 6,000 shot; survivors flee to mountains or leave island.

1512

The Burgos Law was issued on Dec 27, by Ferdinand II, the Catholic, of Aragon, regulated relations between Spaniards and the conquered Indians, particularly to ensure the spiritual and material welfare of the latter, who were often severely treated. (December 27)
San Germán is founded.

1513

African Slaves were introduced into the island. (January 27)
Caribe Indians attacked San Juan.

1514

The Spanish Crown granted permission to Spaniards to marry native Taíno Indians.
Hernando de Peralta received permission to obtain 2 white slaves, possibly Arab or Arab Descent.

1517

King Carlos V authorized the importation of 4,000 slaves to the Caribbean.

1521

Concerned about potential threats from European enemies, Spain began constructing massive defenses around San Juan. El Morro Castle featured 18-foot-thick walls; San Cristóbal and San Geronimo Forts also garrisoned troops. Next the Spaniards constructed a wall, parts of which still survive, around the entire city. Government Center was moved to the isle of San Juan. The ever arriving Spaniards settlers, many of them gold-seekers, brought no women on their ships. To populate the country, the Spaniard took Indian woman. With the arrival of African slaves, other elements were added. This historic intermingling has resulted in a contemporary Puerto Rico without racial problems.
Juan Ponce de León arrived to Florida, where he suffered a serious injury. He died in La Habana, Cuba.

1522

San Jose Church was founded, is the oldest church still in use in America. (January 24)

1523

The first sugar cane processing plant was built.
The first convent was built.

1524

The first hospital was built.

1528

French sack and burn San German. (October 11)

1530

Sugar became the most important agricultural product.
Francisco Manuel de Lando conducted the first census.

1532

The construction of "Santa Catalina" Palace, the governors house, began. Later the name was changed to "La Fortaleza".

1539

The construction of "San Felipe del Morro" fort began.

1542

The coconut tree was introduced to the island.

1570

The gold mines are declared depleted.

1587

Engineers Juan de Tejada and Juan Bautista Antonelli lay out the main design for El Morro still seen today.

1595

Sir Francis Drake tried fruitlessly to conquer the island and set San Juan city on fire.

1598

The British Navy led by George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, conquered the island and held it for several months, it was forced to abandon his conquest owing to an outbreak of plague among his troops.
Ginger replaces sugar as Puerto rico's main cash crop.

1600

San Juan is enclosed by very formidable ramparts in the Caribbean.

1616

Arecibo and San Blás de Illescas (later called Coamo) were founded.

1620

Bernardo de Balbuena became Bishop of Puerto Rico.

1625

Holland attacks San Juan, under the leadership of Boudewijn Hendrick (Balduino Enrico), besieging El Morro and La Forteleza, burning the city, but the Spanish repel the Dutch troops.

1634

King Philip IV of Spain began fortifying the "San Cristóbal" Fort, along with six fortresses linked by a line of sandstone walls surrounding the city.

1648

In San Germán, Porta Coeli catholic church is finished.

1692

Ponce was founded.

1702

The British attack Arecibo, with no success.

1765

Lieutenant General Alexander O'Reilly (commissioned by Spain to investigate contraband activity) conducted a census. Puerto Rico's population had reached 45,000.

1770

Cock fighting began in the island.

1786

The first History of Puerto Rico was published by Brother Iñigo Abbad y Lasierra.

1797

French-Spanish declaration of war to England. The British again attempt to conquer the island, an invasion by 7,000 British troops and 64 warships under the command of General Ralph Abercromby, attacked San Juan. Captain General Don Ramon de Castro and his army resisted the attack.

1800

The Municipal Library of San Juan was inaugurated. (October 16)

1803

In 1803, Denmark abolished the slave trade, and Britain followed in 1807, France in 1817, Holland in 1818, Spain in 1820, and Sweden in 1824. Slavery itself was finally abolished in the British colonies in 1833, in the French colonies in 1848, and in the Dutch colonies in 1863; it was abolished in the Spanish colonies of Puerto Rico in 1873 and Cuba in 1880.

1806

The printing press is brought to the island.

1809

As a result of Napoleons invasion of Spain, the resistance government took the first step further and recognized Puerto Rico as an oversea province with the right to send representatives to the Spanish government.

1810

Ramón Power y Giralt was elected and sent to Spain as delegate.

1811

The Power Law was approved.

1812

Public lightning with olive oil lamps was established in the streets of San Juan.
Cadiz Constitution was adopted, which granted Puerto Ricans conditional citizenship.

1813

The Puerto Rico Lottery was founded.

1815

The Royal Decree of Grace (commerce liberty) was expedited. At the same time Puerto Rico's meager gold supply was exhausted, islanders struggled to develop an agricultural economy. Cattle, sugar cane, tobacco and coffee were the main investments. (August 10)

1816

Simon Bolivar, from Venezuela, the Great Liberator of the Americas, lands on Vieques.

1825

The Pirate Cofresí was executed in "El Morro" castle. (March 25)
The Puerto Rican governors receive absolute governing faculties.

1835

Queen Maria Cristina abolished the slave trade to Spanish colonies. (June 25)

1839

"La Perla" theater was inaugurated in Ponce.

1843

First lighthouse in Puerto Rico constructed atop El Morro.
The first book, "Aguinaldo Puertorriqueño" is published is the island.

1849

The book "El Jibaro" by Manuel Alonso was published.
The first horse races are founded sponsored by the local government.

1854

Vieques was annexed to Puerto Rico.

1855

Mutiny by the San Cristobal artillery brigade against the Spanish crown. The castle is held by rebels for 24 hours causing panic in the city when the cannon are turned around and aimed at the city streets.

1867

Puerto Rico reachs a population of 656,328; its population recorded as 346,437 whites and 309,891 "of color" (this category included blacks, mulattos and mestizos). The majority of Puerto Ricans lived in extreme poverty. Agriculture, the main source of income, was limited by lack of roads, rudimentary tools and equipment, and natural disasters, such as hurricanes and periods of drought. While illiteracy was 83.7 percent, the intellectual minority remained relatively active within the limitations imposed by local Spanish authorities.

1868

Several hundred women and men revolted against Spain for Puerto Rican independence, the event took place in Lares and is better known as the Cry of Lares ("Grito de Lares"). The most important figures in the uprising were Manuel Rojas, Mathias Bruckman, Joaquín Parilla, and Francisco Ramírez. The main leader was Ramón Betances but he was not given permission to enter the island. Manuel Rojas plantation in the town of Lares became the headquarters for like-minded revolutionaries who would push for a split from Spain. (September 23) The rebellion was planned by a group, led by Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis, who in January 6, 1868 founded the Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico (Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico) from their exile in the Dominican Republic.

1869

The first political parties are organized in the island, the Liberal Reform Party (Partido Liberal Reformista) and the Liberal Conservative Party (Partido Liberal Conservador).
The telegraph was introduced into the island.

1870

As a result of Roman Baldorioty de Castro, Luis Padial and Julio Vizcarrondo efforts, the Moret Law was approved, with this law liberty was given to slaves born after Sep 17, 1868 and to slaves over 60 years old. (June 4)
The Liberal Reform Party (Partido Liberal Reformista) and the Liberal Conservative Party (Partido Liberal Conservador) were founded, becoming the first true political organizations in the island. The Liberal Reform Party was led by Román Baldorioty de Castro, José Julián Acosta, and Pedro Gerónimo Goico, among others. (November)

1873

The Spanish Constitutional Monarchy was replaced by a republican government.
The Spanish Crown abolished slavery in Puerto Rico. Leaders of the Puerto Rican abolitionist movement, including José Julián Acosta, Francisco Mariano Quiñones, Julio L. de Vizcarrondo, Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis, waged a long struggle to end slavery on the island. On March 22, 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 three more years.
The Liberal Conservative Party (Partido Liberal Conservador) changed names to "Español Incondicional".

1876

Spain proclaims El Yunque a Forest Reserve, making it one of the oldest reserves in the Western Hemisphere.

1885

The coffee from Adjuntas was considered to be one of the best coffees in the world.

1887

In San Juan a horse race track was built.
Ramón Baldorioty de Castro formed the Autonomous Party that tried to create a political and legal identity for Puerto Rico while emulating Spain in all political matters. (March)

1890

Luis Munoz Rivera founded the newspaper La Democracía.

1891

The railroad is inaugurated.

1893

Hurricane Saint Roque strikes the island. (August 16)
Electrical lighting was established in San Juan.

1895

The Puerto Rican flag was first used on 22 December and adopted as a national symbol.

1897

The "Carta Autonómica" was approved in which Spain concedes political and administrative autonomy to the island. It allowed the island to retain its representation in the Spanish Cortes, and provided for a bicameral legislature. This legislature consisted of a Council of Administration with eight elected and seven appointed members, and a Chamber of Representatives with one member for every 25,000 inhabitants. (November 25)
The telephone service is inaugurated in San Juan.

1898

On February 9, the new government officially opened for business in the spring of 1898. Governor General Manuel Macías inaugurated the new government of Puerto Rico under the Autonomous Charter which gave town councils complete autonomy in local matters. Subsequently, the governor had no authority to intervene in civil and political matters unless authorized to do so by the Cabinet.
> March 10, Dr. Julio J. Henna and Robert H. Todd, prominent leaders of the Puerto Rican section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party, began to correspond with United States President McKinley and Senate in hopes that they would consider including Puerto Rico in whatever intervention was planned for Cuba. Henna and Todd also provided the U.S. government with information about the Spanish military presence on the island.
> April 24, Spanish Minister of Defense Segismundo Bermejo sent instructions to Spanish Admiral Cervera to proceed with his fleet from Cape Verde to the Caribbean, Cuba and Puerto Rico.
Lt. Henry H. Whitney of the Fourth Artillery was sent to Puerto Rico on a reconnaisance mission, sponsored by the Army's Bureau of Military Intelligence. He provided maps and information on the Spanish military forces to the U.S. government prior to the invasion. (May)
> May 10, Spanish forces in the fortress of San Cristóbal in San Juan exchanged fire with the U.S.S. Yale under the command of Capt. William Clinton Wise.
> May 12, A squadron of 12 U.S. ships commanded by Rear Adm. William T. Sampson bombarded San Juan.
> June 25, the U.S.S. Yosemite arrived off San Juan harbor, Puerto Rico, to blockade the port.
> July 18, General Nelson A. Miles, commander of the invading forces, received orders to sail for Puerto Rico.
> July 21, convoy of 3,300 soldiers and nine transports escorted by the U.S.S. Massachusetts sailed for Puerto Rico from Guantánamo, Cuba.
> July, 25 General Nelson Miles came ashore with the first contingent of 16,000 American troops, landed unopposed at the town of Guánica in the South of Puerto Rico. Upon arrival, the ship met with Spanish resistance the morning of August 26. By August, the whole island was practically invaded.
Spanish-American War, conflict between the United States and Spain that ended Spanish colonial rule in the Americas and resulted in U.S. acquisition of territories in the western Pacific and Latin American. (August 8)
> August 12, peace protocols were signed in Washington, D.C.
> September 9, U.S. and Spanish Commissions met in San Juan, Puerto Rico to discuss the details of the withdrawal of Spanish troops and the cession of the island to the United States.
> September 29, Governor Macías officially announced that Puerto Rico had been ceded to the United States.
> October 1, the Spanish and United States commissioners held their initial meeting in Paris to draft the Peace Treaty.
> October 18, the Spanish withdrawal from Puerto Rico was completed as the final troops left San Juan for Spain. General John R. Brooke became military governor.
> December 10, Treary of Paris was signed (ratified by the U.S. Senate Feb. 6, 1899), treaty concluding the Spanish-American War. The American peace commission consisted of William R. Day, Sen. Cushman K. Davis, Sen. William P. Frye, Sen. George Gray, and the Honorable Whitelaw Reid. The Spanish commission was headed by Don Eugenio Montero Rios, the President of the Senate. Jules Cambon, a French diplomat, also negotiated on Spain's behalf. Spain renounced all claim to Cuba, ceded Guam and Puerto Rico to United States, and transferred sovereignty over the Phillipines to the United States for $20,000,000.

1899

First boxing match held in Puerto Rico. (January 15)
The federal military forces changed the name of the island to Porto Rico.
Currency is exchanged. Puerto Rican "peso" to the dollar.
Hurricane Saint Ciriaco strikes the island. It rained for 28 days straight and the winds reached speeds of 100 miles per hour. The loss of life and property damage were immense. Approximately 3,400 people died in the floods and thousands were left without shelter, food, or work. The sugar and coffee industry was devastated. (Aug. 8)
Luis Muñoz Rivera founded the newspaper El Territorio.

1900

The island is surrendered to the United States military authority. The Foraker Law (Organic Act of 1900) was approved, establishing civil government and free commerce between the island and United States (April 12). Puerto Rico became U.S. first unincorporated territory. The first civil governor of the island under the Foraker Act was Charles H. Allen, inaugurated on May 1, 1900 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
President McKinley named an Executive Cabinet under Gov. Charles H. Allen that included five Puerto Rican members--José Celso Barbosa, Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón, José de Diego, Manuel Camuñas and Andrés Crosas, and six U.S members--William H. Hunt, Secretary; J.H. Hollander, Treasurer; J.R. Garrison, Auditor; W.B. Eliot, Interiors; James A. Harlan, Attorney General; and Dr. M.G. Brumbaugh, Secretary of Education. (June 5)
President McKinley asserts the need for free trade with Puerto Rico. (Mar. 19)

1901

The Hollander Law was approved.
Federico Degetau takes office in Washington as the first Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico. (March 4)

1902

The Porto Rico Telephone Company was inaugurated.
Cuba declares independence; United States declares Puerto Rico a territory

1903

University of Puerto Rico was founded. (March 9)
Roosevelt signed an executive order to surrender the Culebra to Navy Control.
U.S. officially designates Luquillo Forest Reserve the only tropical rain forest in the National Forest System.

1904

Luis Muñoz Rivera and José de Diego founded the Unionist Party of Puerto Rico to fight against the colonial government established under the Foraker Act.
Beeckman Winthrop became the governor of Puerto Rico and served until 1907. (July 4)
First universal suffrage was established, men over 21 years old were allow to participated.

1906

President Theodore Roosevelt leaves Washington D.C. for a 17 day trip to Panama and Puerto Rico, becoming the first president to make an official visit outside of the U.S. (Nov. 6)
During a visit to Puerto Rico, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt addressed the Puerto Rican Congress and recommended that Puerto Ricans become United States citizens. (December 11)

1908

Present lighthouse seen atop El Morro built by U.S. Navy.
Driving licenses began to be issued.
The first motion picture projector was brought to the island. It was used in a tent theater called "Cine Puerto Rico".

1909

The Olmsted Amendment to the Foraker Act was passed by both houses of Congress, this act placed the supervision of Puerto Rican affairs in the jurisdiction of an executive department to be designated by the president. The legislation was a response to a governmental crisis in Puerto Rico in early 1909.

1912

The Interamerican University was established by the United Presbyterian Church. The IAU is a private, nonprofit institution. The system includes schools of law and optometry. (June 29)
Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón, Manuel Zeno Gandía, Luis Llorens Torres, Eugenio Benítez Castaño, and Pedro Franceschi founded the Independence party which was the first party in the history of the island to exclusively want Puerto Rican independence. Though short-lived, it established a precedent for future organizations with similar ideologies.

1914

The first Puerto Rican officers are assigned to the Executive Cabinet, allowing islanders a majority. The officers were Martin Travieso, Secretary, and Manuel V. Domenech, Comissioner of Interiors.

1915

A delegation from Puerto Rico, accompanied by the Gov. Arthur Yager, traveled to Washington in order to ask Congress to grant the island more autonomy.

1916

The Jones Act was approved, with this law: (Dec. 5)

Puerto Rico becomes U.S. territory.

U.S. nationalizes all Puerto Ricans as a citizens and allows Puerto Ricans to elect their legislature. (300 rejected the citizenship and many others refused to join the army.) Amended in 1921, 1927, 1928, 1931, 1935, 1938, 1940, 1947.

1917

President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones Act. Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States "organized but unincorporated," and it gave Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship and a bill of rights and also established a locally elected Senate and House of Representatives. However, the Foraker Act still determined economic and fiscal aspects of government. (March 2)
The first elections under Jones Act were celebrated. (July 6)
20,000 islanders are drafted into World War I.
The Organic Act was approved. This gave the island a legislature (19 senators, 39 representatives) elected freely by the Puerto Rican people.

1918

"El Imparcial" newspaper was founded.

1919

"El Mundo" newspaper was founded.

1922

In the case of Balzac v. Porto Rico, 258 U.S. 308, the U.S. Supreme Court declared that Puerto Rico was a territory rather than a part of the Union. The decision stated that the U.S. constitution did not apply in Puerto Rico.
The first radio station WKAQ was inaugurated. (Dec. 2)
The Puerto Rican Nationalist party was founded. (September 17)

1925

The construction on The Capitol Building began.

1928

Hurricane Saint Phillip strikes the island. (September 13)
Charles Lindbergh visited the island in his plane Spirit of St. Louis.

1929

Pan Am Airline started the first flights to Miami. (January 9)
The air mail service was inaugurated.

1930

Pedro Albizu Campos is elected president of the Nationalist Party

1932

The Congress of United States approved a law to change back the name of the island Porto Rico, to its original name, Puerto Rico. (May 17)
Hurricane "San Ciprián strikes" the island. (September 30)

1931

Hurricane "San Nicolás" strikes the island.

1933

The program for economic assistance known as PRERA begins to be implemented.
Sixto Escobar became the first Puerto Rican to win a boxing championship of the National Boxing Association.
Cockfighting is legalized in Puerto Rico. (May 9)

1934

Franklin D. Roosevelt visited the island.

1935

President Franklin D. Roosevelt launched the Puerto Rican Reconstruction Administration, which provided for agricultural development, public works, and electrification of the island.
The Sixto Escobar Stadium was inaugurated.

1936

Puerto Rican Nationalists, in retaliation for the University Massacre, kill Police Chief Riggs in San Juan. (February 23)
Pedro Albizu Campos, Juan Antonio Corretjer, Clemente Soto Vélez and four other Nationalists sentenced to 6-10 years in federal prison. (July 31)
Women given full suffrage.

1937

At the beginning of "Nacionalista de Puerto Rico" party parade, in Ponce, occurred as called "Masacre de Ponce" were 20 people are killed and 100 wounded.
The Mercedita airport in Ponce started operations.
President Franklin Roosevelt proclaimed every October 12 as Christopher Columbus Day.

1938

The Democratic Popular Party was founded, under the leadership of Luis Muñoz Marín.

1940

The United States Congress grants U.S. Citizenship to Puerto Rican Natives.

1941

United States began to establishes military bases in the islands of Culebra and Vieques.
Rexford Tugwell was assigned governor of Puerto Rico (1941-1946).
The Ponce Cement Corporation was founded and started operations in Ponce.

1942

"Banco Gubernamental de Fomento" was founded.
Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company was established.

1943

U.S. Senator Tydings introduces bill to Congress calling for independence for Puerto Rico. (April 2)

1945

Puerto Ricans began to emigrate to United States. Looking for job and better economic situation.

1946

President Harry Truman designates native born Jesús T. Piñero governor. (July 21)
The Independent Party was founded.
Pan American Airlines starts non-stop flights to New York. (July 7)
The el Yunque Forest was designated an insular wildlife refuge.

1947

United States Congress decides to allow Puerto Ricans to elect their governor, President Harry Truman signed the act. (August 5)

1948

The first governor is elected by the Puerto Ricans. Luis Muñoz Marin is elected.
The Statehood Republican party was founded.
The Catholic University of Puerto Rico was founded. It has faculties of arts and humanities, science, education, business, and law.
Puerto Rico sends the first delegation to the Olympics.
Gambling was legalized in Puerto Rico. (August 15)

1949

Caribe Hilton Hotel was inaugurated.
San Juan National Historic Site is established.

1950

The first Health Center is founded in Adjuntas.
The first Social Security cards were issued.
Nationalists try to kill President Truman in Washington.

1951

The 600 Law passed, giving Puerto Rico the right to establish a government with proper constitution.

1952

The flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was officially adopted - based on a flag designed by a group of patriots in the year 1895. (March 3)
The New Constitution is approved by voters, and Puerto Rico is proclaimed as Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (July 25)

1954

First experimental trasmissions of television occurred.
Nationalists open fire in the U.S. House of Representatives, wounding five Congressmen.

1955

Institute of Puerto Rican Culture was founded. (June 21)

1956

Hurricane Saint Clare strikes the island. (August 12)

1957

The "El Comandante" horse race track was inaugurated.
The first Pablo Casals Festival took place in University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras.

1959

Ponce Art Museum was inaugurated.
The San Juan Star newspaper was founded.

1961

President John F. Kennedy visited the island.
Rita Moreno wins an Oscar for her acting performance in the motion picture "West Side Story".
The newspaper San Juan Star wins the Pulitzer prize.

1963

Roberto Sanchéz Vilella is elected governor.
Observatory of Arecibo was inaugurated (the world largest radio telescope of its type).

1965

Pedro Albizu Campos leader of the Nationalist party dies,

1966

The shopping mall "Plaza Las Americas" was inaugurated.

1967

First plebiscite on the political status of Puerto Rico was held. Voters overwhelmingly affirm continuation of Commonwealth status. (July 23)

1968

Luis A. Ferré, leader of a prostatehood party, is elected governor.
The New Progressive and "Del Pueblo" parties were founded.
Formal research efforts to save the endangered Puerto Rican parrot began in the Forest with collaboration of U.S. Fish and Wildlife, the PR Department of Natural Resources and the World Wildlife Fund.

1969

José Feliciano wins a Grammy. (March 16)

1970

"El Nuevo Día" newspaper was founded.
Marisol Malaret wins the Miss Universe Pageant.

1971

United States army takes possession of almost all of Culebra Island.
President Richard Nixon declared Christopher Columbus day a federal public holiday on the 2nd Monday in October.

1972

The Puertorrican Socialist party was founded.
Rafael Hernández Colón is elected governor.
Roberto Clemente first Puerto Rican in the Baseball Hall of Fame died in a plane accident.

1973

Luís Aponte Martínez became Cardenal.
Roberto Clemente was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

1975

Igneri and pre-Taino ruins found at Tibes, north of Ponce.

1976

Carlos Romero Barceló is elected governor.
The 936 section of the United States Internal Revenue Tax Code was implemented. This new code allowed American companies to make profit in the island without paying taxes. Banks on the island experienced an unprecedented growth. About 100,000 Puerto Ricans were directly dependant on employment generated by Section 936 companies.
The "Ateneo Puertorriqueño" was founded.

1978

Karl Wallenda died while crossing a wire between two hotels in San Juan, he was knocked off balance by a gust of wind and fell to his death ten stories below. (Mar. 22)
The "Cerro Maravilla" incident took place. Police officers were responsible for the death in execution manner of two pro-independence men. (July 25)

1979

Panamerican Games are held in San Juan.
President James Carter grants executive clemency, freeing Nationalists, Lolita Lebrón, Andrés Figueroa Cordero, Rafael Cancel Miranda and Irving Flores. (September 6)

1980

Luis Muñoz Marín founder of the PPD and first elected Governor of Puerto Rico dies. (April 30)
Carlos Romero Barceló is elected governor.
The U.S. Congress recommends the Navy leave Vieques.

1981

Macheteros blow up 11 jet fighters of Puerto Rico's National Guard near San Juan. (January 11)

1983

San Juan National Historic Site declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.
The "Renovación Puertorriqueña" party was founded.

1984

Rafael Hernández Colón is elected governor.
The Pope, Juan Pablo II visited the island. (October)

1985

Deborah Carthy Deu wins the Miss Universe Pageant.

1986

A tragic fire took place at the Dupont Plaza Hotel, in San Juan. (December 31, 97 persons died)

1988

Rafael Hernández Colón is elected governor.

1989

Hurricane Hugo strikes the island (Sept. 18) as it cuts a path of destruction across the Caribbean.

1991

In an island wide vote, Puerto Ricans reject an amendment that would have "reviewed" their commonwealth status.
Puerto Rico declares Spanish the only official language of the island.
Puerto Rico receives the Asturias Award from Spain for declaring Spanish the official language.
The LOTO is inaugurated.

1992

The government sold 80% of the stock in Telefónica Larga Distancia de Puerto Rico to Telefónica Internacional de España for more than $140 million dollars.
Pedro Roselló is elected governor.
Tall ships from all over the world come to celebrate the Christopher Columbus Grand Regatta in old San Juan as part of the festivities of the Fifth Centenary of the Discovery of the New World.
Kumagai Gumi Company, a Japanese firm, backed by the Mitsubishi Bank, joined in a 50% share of the $225 million development of the El Conquistador Resort in San Juan.

1993

Law Number 1 of 1993 declares English and Spanish as the official languages of Puerto Rico.
Dayanara Torres wins the Miss Universe Pageant.
XVII Centroamerican and Caribbean Games are held in the island.
Majoy League Baseball player Orlando Cepeda was inducted into the Puerto Rico Sports Hall of Fame.
In the Referendum, Commonwealth status was reaffirmed by voters.

Statehood................ 788,296 ...(46.3%)

Commonwealth........ 826,326... (48.6%)

Independence............ 75,620 ....( 4.4%)

Nulls........................... 10,748 ....( 0.7%)

1995

Hurricane Marilyn strikes the island.

1996

Hurricane Bertha strikes the island. (July 8) The U.S. Congress repealed Section 936 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, with a clause that retains its benefit for ten years of existing corporations. Section 30A was created to substitute Section 936. It essentially retains the wage credit component of Section 936. (August, 20)
Pedro Roselló is elected governor. (Nov. 4)

1996

Hurricane Hortense strikes the island, killing five people and knocking out electricity to 85 percent of the island (September 9)

1997

U.S. Congress introduced Project Young, to provide a process leading to full self-government for Puerto Rico. (introduced Feb. 27 by Rep. Don Young, H.R.856)

1998

Caribe Hilton, located in San Juan, has been sold by the government to Hilton International.
Hurricane George with 120 mph winds strikes the island, killing 7 people and leaving more than 24,000 in shelters. Virtually the entire island was left without electricity (99.5%), most without water service (77%) and without phone services (25%). President Clinton on Monday declared Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands disaster areas, authorizing immediate release of federal recovery aid. Damage estimated at $2 billion. (September 21)
In a show of commitment to help the victims of hurricane Georges, U.S. First Lady Hillary Clinton travels on Tuesday to typhoon-ravaged Puerto Rico. (September 29)
In a non-binding referendum, which offered Puerto Rican voters will have five choices, which included: (1) remaining a U.S. commonwealth, (2) entering into a "free association" with the United States that would be somewhere between commonwealth and independence, (3) becoming a state, (4) declaring independence, and (5) or none of the above. The option 5 "none of the above" obtained the majority of votes. (December 13)

Option ......Votes .....Percent

1............... 993...... 0.06%

2 .............4536.......0.29%

3 ..........728157 .....46.49%

4 ............39838.......2.54%

5 ..........787900 .....50.30%

Others. .....4846....... 0.31%