Puerto Ricans in the United States
A timeline of the diaspora, 1898 - present
This chronology is an attempt at creating an accessible, digital database of the history of the Puerto Rican diaspora. It is comprised mainly of relevant newspaper articles, legal documents, and historical photos and video. Newsworthy events concerning the island that have little to no impact on the migration and those Puerto Ricans residing primarily on the mainland have been deliberately excluded.* ;xNLx;;xNLx;;xNLx;*Though events that take place on the island do, of course, have a macrocosmic effect on the migration, this timeline will consist of more direct links between the island and the community in diaspora.;xNLx;;xNLx;For more information, please see ;xSTx;a href="http://centropr.hunter.cuny.edu/node";xETx;Centro's;xSTx;/a;xETx; web site.
1898-02-15 11:03:41
USS Maine Explodes
US Naval Ship Explodes in Havana Harbor
1898-04-25 00:00:00
War is Declared Between United States and Spain
Following the explosion of the USS Maine, the US government declares war on Spain.
1898-12-10 11:03:41
Spanish-American War Ends
The Spanish-American War ends.
1900-04-12 00:00:00
The Foraker Act
U.S. Congress passes The Foraker Act
1900-08-24 00:00:00
Gonzalez V. Williams
GONZALES V. WILLIAMS - Isabella Gonzales, born and raised in Puerto Rico arrives in New York in 1902. Her legal case helps clarify the status of Puerto Ricans.
1901-02-19 15:03:41
Puerto Rican Herald is Created
The Puerto Rican Herald, a bilingual newspaper, is established in New York by Luis Muñoz Rivera.
1907-03-02 22:30:23
The Expatriation Act of 1907
American women married to foreigners are stripped of their American citizenship and defined through their husband's foreign ties.
1913-01-01 05:51:23
La Prensa is born
The Spanish-language newspaper, La Prensa, begins publishing weekly.
1917-03-02 05:51:23
The Jones Act
President Woodrow Wilson signs the Jones-Shafroth Bill.
1918-01-01 05:51:23
Jesus Colon arrives in Brooklyn
Jesus Colon arrives in Brooklyn from Puerto Rico.
1922-01-01 06:36:23
Balzac V. Puerto Rico
Jesus M. Balzac, prosecuted for criminal libel in a district court of Puerto Rico, contended that his rights had been violated according to the Sixth Amendment.
1922-09-22 06:36:23
The Cable Act
The Cable Act reverses the Expatriation Act of 1907 which stipulates that a woman's citizenship is dependent upon her husband's.
1924-04-18 06:36:23
The Johnson-Reed Immigration Bill
The Johnson-Reed Immigration Bill of 1924 is passed.
1936-08-29 13:22:17
10,000 Puerto Ricans March In Harlem
10,000 Puerto Ricans march in Harlem
1937-10-06 09:36:41
Gilberto Gerena Valentin Arrives in New York
Gilberto Gerena Valentin, who would become a prominent politician and activist on behalf of Puerto Rican rights, leaves the island and arrives in New York. He is 21.
1940-01-01 13:22:17
The Nationality Act of 1940
The Nationality Act of 1940 is passed
1947-04-24 13:22:17
Conference Held to discuss Puerto Rican Migrants
Puerto Rican officials meet in New York
1947-08-10 13:22:17
Columbia University Plans Survey of Puerto Rican Migrants
Columbia University agrees to begin a survey on the migration.
1947-10-14 13:22:17
Columbia Submits Proposal on Planned Survey of Puerto Rican Migrants
Columbia University submits study proposal
1948-01-01 00:00:00
Manos a Obra Begins
Operation Bootstrap goes into effect in 1948
1948-01-19 13:22:17
Algernon D. Black's radio address on Puerto Ricans in New York City
Algernon D. Black addresses the growing Puerto Rican population via radio address
1948-01-20 13:22:17
Courses to be held in Puerto Rico for NYC school teachers
Ernest O. Melby, dean of the School of Education at New York University, announces courses will be held at the University of Puerto Rico
1948-01-23 13:22:17
Commisioner Nolan
1948-01-26 12:40:17
NYU announces special course in Puerto Rico
The NYU school of education announces a special course to be taught at the University of Puerto Rico
1948-01-26 13:22:17
Santiago Ortiz accepts invitation to conference on the migration
1948-06-16 12:40:17
Summary of Columbia University's Report on Migrant Population published
1948-10-27 12:40:17
NYT Letter to the Editor Refutes Ouna's Claims
1948-10-28 12:40:17
Osuna says Harlem Schools are NOT centers for delincuency
Osuna refutes claims and accusations made by
1948-11-01 12:40:17
Dewey's Election partly Attributed to Puerto Ricans
Dewey's win is partly attributed to Puerto Rican voters and his own pledges to help the community.
1948-11-01 12:40:17
Dr. Jose N. Cesteros Endorses Judge Mullen
1948-11-08 12:40:17
El Comite de Accion Puertorriquena Plans a Meeting and Legal Clinic
El Comite de Accion Puertorriquena, the group ..................... plans a meeting and a legal clinic
1948-11-10 12:40:17
Comite de Las Sociedades Puertorriquenas Forms
Meeting is held in order to form the Comite de las Sociedades Puertorriquenas.
1948-11-12 12:40:17
Hygiene Meeting at East Harlem Health Center
1948-11-13 12:40:17
Puerto Rican and Hispanic community leaders discuss reopening center
Meeting is held to discuss the reopening of the Good Neighbor Center in East Harlem.
1948-12-02 12:40:17
3,000 Puerto Rican workers to be brought to New Jersey
1948-12-15 12:40:17
More Puerto Rican Workers to Ohio
1949-02-05 12:40:17
Senator and CIO join together to ban exploitation of migrant workers
The CIO and Senator Watchel join together to ban the exploitation of farm workers traveling to the United States from Puerto Rico.
1949-02-06 12:40:17
United States - Puerto Rico Labor Pact
The United States and Puerto Rico map a labor pact to prevent exploitation of farm hands migrating to the United States for work.
1950-03-18 15:25:35
Fundraiser Parade for Hispanic students of East Harlem
El Diario publishes an article about an upcoming arts parade held to raise funds for Hispanic students of Benjamin Franklin Prepatory School located in East Harlem.
1950-03-19 12:40:17
Harvard develops new program to teach english
Harvard develops an audio-visual learning program for teaching English to recent immigrants
1950-11-01 13:22:17
Attack on Puerto Rican Government Labor Office
An unidentified man throws two Molotov cocktails into the Puerto Rican Government Labor Office
1950-11-01 13:22:17
Puerto Rican Nationalists involved in Truman Assasination Attempt
Oscar Collazo and Griselio Torresola attempt to assasinate President Truman at his Blair House residence.
1950-11-21 12:40:17
Tuberculosis Increase Among Puerto Ricans in NYC
A 181% increase in cases of tuberculosis among Puerto Ricans in New York City. Increase contributed to "overcrowding , substandard living conditions and extreme poverty" among the Puerto Rican population.
1952-04-07 13:22:17
Puerto Rican Migration Sets Record
Puerto Ricans migrating to the United States set a record in 1951 based on a survey released by the Welfare and Health Council. The majority of those migrating to the United States move to New York City.
1952-04-08 13:22:17
Leaders of Scholarship Fund Meet With Mayor
Leaders of the Fondo de Becas Para Estudiantes Puertorriquenos meet with Mayor Vincent Impellitteri
1952-04-08 13:22:17
Hubert Humphrey's Statements on Puerto Rican Workers
1952-04-11 12:40:17
Puerto Rican Democrats Hold Meeting in Brooklyn
Democratic Committee of New York Puerto Ricans meets in Brooklyn.
1952-11-06 13:22:17
Young Puerto Rican Marine Dies in Korea
PFC Pablo Acosta is KIA in Korea.
1952-12-08 12:40:17
Algernon D. Black Writes Letter to NYT on Housing Struggles of Black and Puerto Rican residents
Algernon D. Black, chariman of the New York State Committee on Discrimination and Housing writes a letter to the editor of the New York Times highlighting the housing struggles faced by working class Black and Puerto Rican families and the issues surrounding a proposed housing program
1953-02-04 12:40:17
Hispanic Leaders Meet
Hispanic leaders of New York City meet to discuss problems facing the community. The agenda includes unity between Puerto Ricans and other Hispanic residents in the city, employment and other opportunities for Hispanics, legal assistence, juvenile deliquency, police action, etc.