Every Day Is Special: March 22 - Emancipation Day in Puerto Rico

March 22 - Emancipation Day in Puerto Rico

Posted on March 22, 2022

This is an update of my post published on March 22, 2011:

Although free men from Africa accompanied the Spanish Conquistadors when they first invaded the island of Puerto Rico, the Spanish soon started bringing over enslaved African people. The ugly reason was that the Spanish mining and fort-building operations depended on slave labor; the Spaniards had enslaved the native islanders, the Taínos, but they had died out (mostly from epidemics). So the Spaniards got busy enslaving other folks! Horrible!

(Actually, although the Taínos were considered extinct as a people, centuries ago, a lot of people in Puerto Rico and elsewhere have been tested, recently, and their mitochondrial DNA proves that many Taíno had passed down their genes - and they are still around even today. So, the Taíno culture and language was erased by the colonizers' invasion of their land, and their brutality, but the Taíno people themselves lived on through intermarriage with people from Spain and Africa.)

Eventually the gold mines of Puerto Rico were depleted, and the island became a garrison for naval ships. Slavery continued. As early as 1789, a Spanish decree allowed enslaved folks to buy their freedom—but this decree didn't help free most! (One thing about slavery - it really cuts down on your ability to earn money when you are forced to work for free!) Over the years and decades, there were many slave revolts, and an abolition movement grew among free Puerto Ricans. Many enslaved people joined in the short-lived rebellion against Spanish rule in 1868. Finally, fear of more slave rebellions leading to more uprisings against the Spanish crown added to the very good case made by abolitionists—and slavery was abolished on this day in 1873.

(Puerto Rico became independent of Spain in 1898, as a result of the Spanish-American War. The island became a protectorate of the United States—and it remains one today!)

Abolition Park in Puerto Rico

It's cool that the anniversary of the emancipation of the slaves is a holiday in Puerto Rico! Apparently people enjoy music, dancing, and special foods on this day. Some people honor famous Black Puerto Ricans or teach about the history of slavery, abolition, and Black people in Puerto Rico.

Explore some more...

Learn about Dr. Jose Celso Barbosa, a medical doctor and political leader, here. This Black Puerto Rican worked to make all Puerto Ricans citizens of the U.S.