Puerto Ricans and Citizenship: A Chronology of Major Events
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The migration of Puerto Ricans to the United
States extends over a period of more than a hundred years. Political exiles,
artisans, cigar workers, merchants, students and others had been settling
in New York since the turn of the century.
The granting of citizenship in 1917
and the need for workers during World War I increased the migratory
flow. By 1930, there were over 50,000
Puerto Ricans in New York City.
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Puerto Rican
flag designed in New York City by Puerto Rican exiles fighting to end
Spanish colonial rule in the island.
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War declared between Spain and the United States.
The Spanish American War ends with the Treaty of Paris
placing Puerto Rico under American control.
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U.S. Supreme Court decides that Puerto Ricans can travel to the United
States freely without going through immigration -- that Puerto Rican
are not Aliens: The Isabella Gónzalez Case. She had arrived to New York
City in 1902 and had been detained at Ellis Island. [Steamship photo.]
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The United States enters World War I.
The Jones Act: Puerto Ricans are
made U.S. citizens.
[LOC photo resize to150 width.First administrative cabinet
under the Jones Act. Source:
Library of Congress[
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Founding of the Club Democratico de Brooklyn led by J.V. Alonso
and Joaquin Colon; later one is also founded in Harlem led by Domingo
Collazo and J. C. Cebollero. [Club Democratico]
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Formed Liga Puertorriqueña e Hispana at Wadleigh High
School. [Liga]
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Republican candidate Victor Fiol Ramos runs for City Council in the
17th district, but does not win.
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The Employment & Identification Office opens as a branch
of the Department of Labor on 116th Street in New York City. It is under
the direction of J.M. Vivaldi.
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Oscar García Rivera is elected to the State Assembly. He becomes
the first Puerto Rican elected to political office in the U.S. [OscarG.R.]
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Jesus T. Piñeiro becomes the first Puerto Rican elected Governor
of Puerto Rico. [J.T.P. photo]
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Bureau of Employment and Migration opens in New York City
(Dec.5th). Manuel Cabranes serves as its first Director.
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Luis Muñoz Marin becomes the first Puerto Rican elected Governor
of Puerto Rico.[LMM]
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Commonwealth of Puerto Rico created. C. [seal]
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Felipe Torres wins seat in NY State Assembly representing the Bronx
(Morrisania and Mott Haven). He receives the support of the Bronx Democratic
machine. [FT-Bronx]
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Attempts to eliminate English test for voting (passed in 1965) started
by Congress of Puerto Rican Hometowns, led by Gilberto Gerena
Valentin, and the Association of Puerto Rican Lawyers.
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Herman Badillo becomes Borough President of the Bronx. He is the first
Puerto Rican to hold this position. [HB]
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City University of New York's (CUNY) students take over City
College to demand Open Admissions, Puerto
Rican Studies programs and more inclusion of Puerto Rican faculty, staff
and students at CUNY. [protest]
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Badillo becomes the first Puerto Rican (voting member) elected to Congress.
He represents the Bronx. [congress photo with B]
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Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund (PRLDEF) founded.
[Logo]
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Aspira of New York City vs. Board of Education of the City of New
York.
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