The history of Puerto Rico stretches far back in time. The smallest of the Greater Antilles of the Caribbean, or the largest of the Lesser Antilles, whichever you prefer, was originally inhabited by Indians whose roots were linked to the migratory cultures of South America, who came in through the Windward and Leeward Islands.

In Borinquen, as it was called by the Taino Indians, they set up indigenous colonies that flourished, and as a result they developed a deep spiritual, religious and peaceful sense of life. Recent discoveries confirm that the indigenous occupation dates back four centuries BC.

Some stone-carved drawings indicate a high level of community unity in the third century AD. Ceremonial parks, such as the TIBES in Ponce, stand as proof of a frequent religious activity, which, with the use of loud maracas and other religious artifacts made from stone and clay, protected the island from JURACAN, the evil god of wind and rain.

In truth, the island suffered less from storms than from surprise hostile attacks from other Caribbean tribes, who arrived by canoe and kidnapped women and children for use as slaves. In spite of that, the attitude of the Borinquen Indians continued to be peaceful, and visitors were frequently called GUAITIAO, which in the TAINO language, means friend.

On November 19, 1493, the white sails of his ships were visible on the Borinquen coast. Weary from his long voyage, Admiral Christopher Columbus set foot on the Northwestern side of the island during his second trip to the New World. He claimed the Island for the Crown of Spain, in the name of the Catholic monarchs King Ferdinand and Queen Isabela of Castile. The Admiral named his discovery Saint John the Baptist. This was the beginning of more than four centuries of Spanish occupation, which created a new society in the New World. In 1508, JUAN PONCE DE LEON founded the city of Caparra, "a league from the small islet to the north." There he constructed a house and a church, but they were soon destroyed in attacks by the Indians. He then decided to move the capital to the small islet in the north, which offered adequate natural protection--and that is where it still stands today.

Although the conqueror never discovered gold nor precious gems here, the concentration of riches from the New World on their way to the thrones of Europe, and from Europe to the American colonies, made the island a "warehouse of riches." With their booty from the American colonies, travelers would make a final stop in San Juan Bautista before their long journey back to Europe.

From the Port of San Juan, the largest altar of the Cathedral was the last visible object that departing travelers could see, so they would lock their eyes on the shrine and offer their final prayers as their ships drifted away. Similarly, upon arrival, it was traditional to give thanks for a safe voyage.

It wasn't unusual for pirates and buccaneers to try to enjoy the city's riches through attacks. That was why solid, sound fortifications were built, some of which still stand today--such as El Morro and Saint Christopher Forts--with strategically located cannons in San Jeronimo and Isla de Cabras. With the arrival of the 19th century, San Juan Bautista became a metropolitan traveler's city, with beautiful residential homes of people such as Governor Ponce De Leon, for whom CASA BLANCA was constructed. And the Marquis of Mirasol, a Spanish Governor of the island, put the final touches on LA FORTALEZA--which still serves as the Governor's Executive Mansion, and is the oldest government building in the western hemisphere.

With the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, and the sinking of the MAINE in the port of Havana, Cuba, the United States army landed in Guanica with a regiment of 300 soldiers. A clock in the Fortaleza is a silent witness to that day....July 25, 1898. When the then Spanish Governor was informed of the successful landing, he struck the face of the clock with his sword, forever stopping its hands at 4:28. The Treaty of Paris, signed in 1899, gave the islands of Cuba and Puerto Rico to the United States as spoils of war. Years later, Cuba would obtain its independence, but Puerto Rico would remain a territory of the United States.

The North American occupation and the end of Spanish domination in the Americas radically changed the appearance of the island. It experienced enormous growth in the sugar industry, as it also prospered through tobacco and coffee. Its position as a doorway to the Caribbean Sea made it an ideal location for naval bases and nautical ports. Nevertheless, this economic growth was halted quickly and unexpectedly with the outbreak of the Second World War, and the island faced a need for social and economic change. Even though Puerto Ricans received United States citizenship in 1917, the Governors appointed by the Federal Government in Washington remained the primary political authority on the island.

In 1945, the first Puerto Rican Governor, Jesus T. Piņero, was handed the reins of governmental control, and began a process of partial autonomy that transformed the attitude of the Puerto Ricans. This process included the discussion of a new Constitution for the island, which was finally approved in 1952. In 1948, Luis Muņoz Marin became the first Governor to be elected by a popular vote. A new social and economic system was put into practice and the island's economy, which was predominantly agricultural, began to shift toward a dominantly industrial system.

They started to construct electrical energy networks, aqueducts, sewage systems, highways and drafted an agrarian reform to improve the lives of the farmers. During the first decade of this process, the island's gross national product tripled. In following decades, Puerto Rico dramatically surpassed the levels of economic growth that were seen in the other islands and countries in the area, as well as the rest of the continent.

© Office of the Governor of Puerto Rico 1996, 1997, 1998 (Reproduced With Permission)

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