puerto rico: In 1898, US troops invaded the island of Puerto Rico, took over the Spanish government and established a military regimen. Sounds familiar? 108 years after that, we are a US territory, technicaly a colony. We are US citizens and share some constitutional rights. What do you know about this relation?|||The ignorance in the US about Puerto Rico is remarkable. 1.Puerto Rico along with Cuba remained the last autonomous regions of Spain until 1898 2. Puerto Rico was invaded by the US in July 1898, US naval ship bombed San Juan and many civilians died. 3.US imposed a military colony regime that lasted almost 50 years, also imposed a statutory citizenship. 4. The nationalist revolts of the 30's and 40's convinced the US that Puerto Rico was never going to be assimilated like Hawaii did, that annexation was impossible due to the strong national identity of Puerto Ricans and the fact that Puerto Ricans were fighting the colonial regime since the invasion. 5. In July 25 1952 Puerto Rico finally achieves a self governing status. A constitution is voted and established. The official name of the government will be : Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico ( translation: Puerto Rican Free Associated State) (This state was inspired by the Irish Free State before Ireland became a full sovereign state in 1948) 6. Puerto Rico's self government was recognized by the United Nations in 1953. Puerto Rico is a nation , it is a latin american country, no doubt about it. it has a common language and history with Cuba and the rest of Latin America and a culture of it's very own that makes puerto ricans unique. Puerto Rico has an olympic team and competes in all international events as a nation. Puerto Rico has won many international events including 4 times the crown of Miss Universe. A puerto rican movie was nominated for an Oscar as Best Foreign Film in 1989 for "Lo que le paso a Santiago". Puerto Rico's current political status is that of a self governing commonwealth associated with the US (this status does not make it part of the US).This current status is not permanent and it's self determination is recognized by the United Nations. This status has helped puerto ricans enjoy some benefits while the US has had 2 military bases, and protection of US commercial interests which makes Puerto Rico an important export market for US products.|||Don't want to know anything about it. Wish it never happened|||rosie perez is already wearing this point out, by the way. u have no rights, deal with it.|||I know you freaks don't pay any taxes. and need to start ponying up|||probably very little ,judging by a lot of the answers|||"In 1898, Puerto Rico was ceded to the United States as a result of the Spanish-American War, under the terms of the Treaty of Paris, ending 400 years of Spanish colonial dominance. At the turn of the century the U.S. had established a military government with an appointed American governor to direct the new territory. Puerto Rico鈥檚 relationship with the U.S. Federal Government, as defined by the Constitution of 1952, is in many respects, similar to that of any other state. Matters of currency, defense, external relations and interstate commerce are within the jurisdiction of the U.S. Federal Government. The U.S. Constitution as well as most laws passed by Congress are applicable in Puerto Rico. Residents of the island however, do not pay federal income taxes and do not vote for President. The Commonwealth also has complete fiscal autonomy and residents pay local commonwealth taxes. The island is represented in Congress by a Resident Commissioner elected every four years; currently the Honorable Luis Fortu帽o. The Resident Commissioner cannot vote on the House floor but otherwise enjoys all of the rights and privileges of any other member of Congress." Now, what is your point? Your question neglects to state all the facts, like the fact that it was ceded to the US as part of a treaty agreement with Spain. As far as I know, relations between the two are pretty good.|||We know that in your last referendum you refused stateship and Independence, preferring to remain a territory. We know that the mezzanine in the House is closed because of attacks by Puerto Rican malcontents. We know that in the US you and your children can avail yourself of Affirmative Action advantages over US citizens. I find it interesting however that you trace the history of your island back only to the Spanish rule. The history of Puerto Rico is much older than that.|||I guess I'm not an "average" American since DH and his family grew up in Guanica, where some of the American troops landed. You, apparently, are an independista. DH and his family, including the ones still on the island, are adamantly opposed to your philosophy. It would be tragic on so many levels for Puerto Rico if it were to become independent. However, I would be more than happy to see it happen. Unfortunately for you and I, every time the citizens of the island are asked to vote for independence, they overwhelmingly vote "no." Perhaps they don't want to become a state because they don't want to pay federal taxes. Can't have the rights without the responsibilities. I was appalled as was my husband's family whenthe last governor removed all American flags from all government offices, including federal. So, too, were many in Puerto Rico because small riots broke out. Do you wish to discuss any specifics or does this cover it?|||I am aware of this relation and would prefer it not to have happened. Puerto Ricans get all the perks of being US citizens, but do not have to pay the taxes.|||I know the Puerto Ricans are a proud people,and should have the right to be self governing.As of now they are a protectorate of the U.S.A. They follow our laws and have all the rights of natural citizens.Our tax dollars are spent to support this country.With that in mind,I think they should,A>ceede they're natioal convictions and accept Statehood,or pay taxes to the U.S. inreturn for the support and military protection they have enjoyed for so many years.|||The U.S. was kicked out of Cuba, but Puerto Rico has been unable to get rid of the invader, something like Iraq. Before the U.S., Spain was the invader who had no right to turn the country over to the invading U.S.|||Most Americans know little about Puerto Rico. Your facts are generally true, but here is some additional context: In 1898, America defeated Spain in the Spanish American War, with America defeating Spanish troops and fleets in Puerto Rico, Cuba, and the Phillipines. Under the negotiated peace treaty, Spain gave America control of Phillipines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. America established a provinicial government in Puerto Rico, and PR eventually became an organized territory. As such, its citizens became American citizens, with the same rights and responsibilities of all US citizens (protected by US military, pay US taxes, subject to be drafted, etc). However Puerto Rican athletes do not compete as members of the US team at Olympic games - Puerto Rico fields its own team, for whatever reason (could never understand why PR gets its own team but DC does not). Puerto Rico has had numerous votes on statehood and independence, and every single time they voted to remain a US territory.|||Puerto Rico is a commonwealth The US citizenship of puerto ricans is a second class citizenship that can be revoked by a congress law since PR association with the US is not a permanent one. That is why PR is not part of the US -do not vote, do not pay federal taxes,etc.. -, it is simple. The relationship between both countries was established thru a pact in 1952 after a miserable colonial period where puerto ricans suffered the oppresion of the US military rule for many decades[something like what is happening now in Iraq].The most known revolts [ you can search this in google or yahoo anytime] are Massacre of Ponce (March 1937), Massacre of Rio Piedras (October 1935)and the Jayuya uprising that lead to the bombing of the town by US airplanes October 30 1950. Many do not know about this facts.|||Judging from the answers received, I would say very little is known and what little is said is mostly biased and racist. The relationship is very complicated because Puerto Rico had achieved a higher degree of autonomy under Spain and Puerto Ricans truly are a different People with Spanish as their first language a very different perspective of life. Puerto Rico has been a territory for so long because it is one of the major markets for US goods and because of military goals of the US.