What Year Did Puerto Rico Get Its Independence?

Answer 1

Puerto Rico is NOT independent. It's a bit complicated but here it goes: Puerto Rico was "discovered" and colonized by Spain in 1493. Spain governed Puerto Rico for well over 300 years when a group of Puertorricans fought for its independence from Spain in 1868 but Spain did not recognized Puerto Rico's autonomy until 1897. After recognizing Puerto Rico's autonomy, Spain also gave Puerto Rico to the United States as a result of them loosing the Spanish-American War; this under the Treaty of Paris. (If it were a property, you might say that the island was "sold" to two different owners at the same time.) At the time the US did not recognize Puerto Rico's autonomy and in some way Puertorricans though that this was probably a step towards independence or statehood. Yet here we are, more than 100 years later in 2010 and Puerto Rico is still owned by the US. Now it is called the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

They currently receive all the benefits of Statehood without having to pay taxes to the country. Pretty sweet deal. Becoming a state would entail their willingness to contribute to the income base of the United States. This is something that should have been done decades ago.
They became independent of Spain in 1898 and are now a US Territory.

Answer 2

Puerto Rico never won its independence from anyone. Puerto Rico is a commonwealth of the United States. On July 25, 1898 during the Spanish-American War, Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States with a landing at Guanica. As an outcome of the war, Spain ceded Puerto Rico, along with Cuba, the Philippines, and Guam, to the U.S. under the Treaty of Paris.

Answer 3

'The relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States has its origins dating back to the Spanish-American War, in which Spain, under the terms of the Treaty of Paris of 1898, ceded the island to the United States. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens and the United States Congress legislates many aspects of Puerto Rican life. However, the islanders may not vote in U.S. presidential elections.[11][12] Since 1947, Puerto Ricans have been able to elect their own governor. Its official languages are Spanish and English, with Spanish being the primary language. The island's current political status, including the possibility of statehood or independence, is widely debated in Puerto Rico.' ref. wikipedia

Answer 4

Puerto Rico is not an independent country. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States of America. It's official status is Commonwealth of the United States of America (Estado Libre Associado de los Estados Unidos)

Answer 5

Puerto Rico has never been independent. It was a colony of Spain for 400 years, then a territory of the United States.

Answer 6

Puerto Rico is not independent and has not been so since 1493. Puerto Rico is currently a territory of the United States of America.

Answer 7

From Spain in 1898.