Puerto Rican Constitution Day
Puerto Rican Constitution Day, celebrated annually on July 25, marks the anniversary of Puerto Rico's founding as a commonwealth and the adoption of its constitution in 1952. This significant date highlights Puerto Rico's unique political status as a self-governing territory associated with the United States. The constitution allows Puerto Ricans to elect their own governor and legislature while maintaining U.S. citizenship, albeit with exemptions from federal taxes and non-participation in presidential elections. This holiday reflects the island's complex history, including its transition from colonial rule by Spain to its current relationship with the United States following the Spanish-American War.
The establishment of the commonwealth came after a 1948 election that did not yield a clear preference for statehood or independence. In a subsequent referendum, Puerto Ricans overwhelmingly supported the drafting of a constitution, which was later approved and ratified. Notably, the constitution divides power among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and allows for the election of a resident commissioner who represents Puerto Rico in Congress without a vote. The 1967 referendum further reaffirmed the island's commitment to its commonwealth status, providing insight into the ongoing discussions about Puerto Rico's political future. Overall, Puerto Rican Constitution Day serves as a reminder of the island's aspirations for self-governance and its enduring relationship with the United States.
Subject Terms
Puerto Rican Constitution Day
One of Puerto Rico's most important holidays takes place annually on July 25, the anniversary of its founding as a commonwealth and of the adoption of its new constitution on July 25, 1952. By the terms of this constitution, Puerto Rico became a self-governing commonwealth voluntarily associated with the United States. Puerto Ricans retained their United States citizenship (granted by the Jones Act in 1917) but were exempted from federal taxes and would not take part in presidential elections.
Under the 1952 constitution Puerto Ricans were empowered to elect a governor and a legislature, composed of a senate and a house of representatives, by direct vote for four-year terms. Until 1948, when the journalist and reformer Luis Muñoz Marín won the first popular election for governor, executive officials had been appointed by the president of the United States, to which Puerto Rico had been ceded by Spain after the Spanish-American War in 1898. Amendment of the Jones Act in 1947 gave Puerto Ricans the right to elect their own governor. Muñoz, who was instrumental in securing commonwealth status for Puerto Rico, voluntarily stepped down from the governorship on January 3, 1965, after four terms in office. During his administration, the success of Operation Bootstrap economic programs in raising Puerto Rico's standard of living made the commonwealth a model for underdeveloped nations around the world.
Under the 1952 constitution, which provides for the division of power between executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the Puerto Rican government, islanders also elect a resident commissioner who is sent with a voice but no vote to the United States Congress in Washington, DC.
Perhaps the most interesting feature of Puerto Rico's commonwealth relationship with the United States is that, while the arrangement is permanent as long as it is agreeable to both parties, it can be changed by mutual consent. The relationship came about after Puerto Rico's election of 1948 failed to produce a majority in favor either of statehood or of complete independence. The search for a third alternative led the resident commissioner in Washington, DC, to introduce a bill giving Puerto Ricans a chance to vote on whether they wanted to prepare their own constitution under a compact with the United States. Congressional passage of the bill was followed by a 1951 referendum in which Puerto Ricans indicated their approval of the idea by a large majority.
Early the next year, Puerto Rican representatives of varying political views met in a convention to draft a constitution. On March 3, 1952, the island's electorate approved the document by a vote of more than four to one. On July 3, it was ratified by the United States Congress. Finally, on July 25, 1952, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the constitution that established it were proclaimed. On July 23, 1967, just two days before the fifteenth anniversary of Puerto Rico's Constitution, island residents in a referendum confirmed their preference for remaining a commonwealth. The vote was 425,081 in favor of commonwealth status; 273,315 in favor of statehood; and 4,205 for complete independence.
Brownfield, Troy. "Puerto Rico Celebrates a New Beginning." The Saturday Evening Post, 25 July 2019, www.saturdayeveningpost.com/2019/07/puerto-rico-celebrates-constitution-day-and-a-new-beginning/. Accessed 1 May 2024.
McMorrow-Hernandez, Joshua. "Celebrate Puerto Rican Constitution Day with a Quarter." Professional Coin Grading Services, 25 July 2023, www.pcgs.com/news/celebrate-puerto-rican-constitution-day-with-a-quarter. Accessed 1 May 2024.