Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
On a revenge mission, George Clifford, earl of Cumberland, lands in Santurce to at-
tack San Juan by land. He occupies the city for several months before an outbreak of
dysentery forces retreat.
1598
Spain's Phillip III forbids growing ginger, which is more lucrative for farmers, com-
monly smuggled and traded for slaves. The king demands they grow sugar to benefit
the crown.
1625
The Dutch navy besieges San Juan and burns it to the ground, but they are prevented
from taking total control by Spanish forces manning the fortifications in El Morro.
1797
A third and final attempt by the British to take San Juan is led by General Aber-
cromby during the Seven Years' War, but the Spanish once again stand firm.
1825
Spanish authorities hire American schooner
Grampus
to capture 'El Pirata Cofresí',
Puerto Rico's nautical Robin Hood, who robbed rich foreign ships to feed Cabo
Rojo's poor; he's executed at El Morro.
1850-67
The Puerto Rican liberation movement gathers strength under the inspirational lead-
ership of Ramón Emeterio Betances, a poet, politician, diplomat and eminent sur-
geon.
1868
Revolutionaries inspired by Betances take the town of Lares and declare a Puerto
Rican republic, but the uprising is repelled within hours by Spanish forces sent from
nearby San Sebastián.
1873
In the wake of the Grito de Lares
,
the Spanish authorities institute various political
and social reforms in Puerto Rico, including the abolition of slavery.
1898
US forces blockade San Juan and land a 16,000-strong force unopposed at Guánica
on the south coast, ending the Spanish-American War; Spain cedes Puerto Rico to the
USA.
