Posted
on April 16, 2015
I
have often seen people honored as “Father of His Country,” “The
Liberator,” or other similar titles – when the person being
honored won his campaign for full independence of his country.
However,
Jose de Diego is called “The Father of the Puerto Rican
Independence Movement,” and is honored every year on his birthday,
and is the namesake of roads and schools and such –
But Puerto Rico
still isn't independent!
Born
in Puerto Rico on this date in 1867, de Diego got his early education
in Puerto Rico but his university education in Spain (including a law
degree). He worked for Puerto Rico's independence from Spain – and
when Spain acknowledged Puerto Rico's autonomy (not quite the same
thing as full independence), in 1897, he became the Sub-Secretary of
Justice and Government.
 |
| A Puerto Rican boat painted like its flag. |
Aaaannndd
then Puerto Rico was invaded by the United State!
In
1900, U.S. President William McKinley named de Diego as a member of
an Executive Cabinet under an American governor. But de Diego
wouldn't compromise; he resigned from the position and continued to
work for Puerto Rico's right to rule itself. He won an elected
position and presided over the House of Delegates, and he helped pass
resolution after resolution – for independence, against the
imposition of U.S. citizenship on Puerto Ricans, etc. All of those
resolutions were vetoed by the U.S. president.
In
1917, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the Jones
Shafroth Act, which made the people of Puerto Rico citizens – but
citizens who are not represented in Congress (not by voting
representatives, that is) and who do not help elect the President.
For
a nation that got its start railing against “taxation without
representation,” this seems pretty problematic. Puerto Ricans are
required to pay most U.S. federal taxes (although most do not have to
pay the federal income tax).
 |
| Tourism is important to today's Puerto Rico. |
One
thing I loved discovering about Jose de Diego that he was also known
as a poet. He published several poetry books and is known as the
“Father of the Modern Puerto Rican Poetry Movement.”
Jose
de Diego, “Father” of this, “Father” of that! Hooray for de
Diego today!
 |
| This middle school in Florida is named for Jose de Diego. |
It's
interesting to note that at least three schools in the continental
U.S. are named after de Diego.
Also
on this date:
Plan
ahead:
Check
out my Pinterest boards for:
And
here are my Pinterest boards for:
thanksgiving in usa
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