The island was ceded by Spain to the United States in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. A popularly elected governor has served since 1948. In plebiscites held 1967, 1993 and 1998, voters chose to retain commonwealth status. Still, there are highly active movements promoting statehood and independence.
In 1933, Sixto Escobar became Puerto Rico's first world boxing champion.
1948 sees Puerto Rico's first Olympic representation, and boxer Juan Evangelista Venegas brings home Puerto Rico's first Olympic medal, a bronze one.
On March 1, 1954 Puerto Rican nationalists attacked the United States Capitol building, injuring five Representatives.
In 1970, Marisol Malaret becomes Puerto Rico's first Miss Universe winner.
On January 24, 1975 a bomb exploted in Fraunces Tavern, New York City, killed four and injured more than 50. Puerto Rican nationalist and pro independence group FALN claimed responsibility.
Two pop culture phenomenoms begin in 1977: Wilfredo Gómez wins his first of three world boxing titles and begins a road that eventually would lead him (and Wilfred Benitez) to be recognized as a national hero, and Menudo begins a journey that would see them gain world-wide recognition.
On September 6, 1979 US President James Carter grants executive clemency, freeing Nationalists; Lolita Lebrón, Andrés Figueroa, Rafael Cancel Miranda and Irving Flores, who were in US prison since 1954.
On January 11, 1981, the Los Macheteros, a pro independence and revolutionary group, blew up 11 US jet fighters in the US military base Muñiz near San Juan.
In 1985, the also half Colombian Deborah Carthy-Deu becomes Puerto Rico's second Miss Universe.
On September 18, 1989 Hurricane Hugo strikes the island.
In 1993, Dayanara Torres becomes the third Puerto Rican Miss Universe.
On spring of 2000 more than 100,000 puertorricans protested in San Juan against the permanent establishment of the US military base in the island of Vieques(island municipality), after a civilian was killed by a bomb inside the US base and reports of ecological contamination were exposed. Civil disobedience and major protests put international pressure and in May of 2003 the US military closed the Vieques base after 60 years of use and gave Puerto Ricans back the use of the land.
On May, 2001 Denisse Quinones, Miss Puerto Rico, becomes the fourth Puerto Rican to win the Miss Universe Pageant and Tito Trinidad wins his third world boxing championship title on the same weekend.
- See also : Puerto Rico