The Day of Illustrious Puerto Ricans 2023: Date, Background, Facts

The Day of Prominent Puerto Ricans is observed on the third Monday of every February. This year, it will occur on The Puerto Rican people celebrate this day to honour and remember all the revolutionaries who helped lay the foundation for the nation’s independence. The freedom to choose to speak for one’s own nation is one of the most essential characteristics that every nation must possess. The Puerto Ricans lacked this liberty and national identity. As a result of the efforts of national heroes such as Eugenio Mara de Hostos, Luis Muoz Rivera, José de Diego, and Dr. José Celso Barbosa, a national identity was forged and the pursuit of independence commenced.

The background of The Day of Illustrious Puerto Ricans

Puerto Ricans are the inhabitants, residents, and descendants of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The Tano, who called the island Borikén, were Puerto Rico’s first inhabitants. However, as in other parts of the Americas, after the arrival of Spanish settlers the number of indigenous people decreased rapidly.

Puerto Rico is a territory (Commonwealth) of the United States of America, and Puerto Ricans share common citizenship, currency, and defence. Despite being U.S. citizens, Puerto Ricans do not pay federal income taxes and cannot vote in presidential elections. As citizens, Puerto Ricans do not require a work visa (also known as a green card) to reside and/or work in the United States.

Puerto Ricans identify as Americans, but are extremely proud of their island and history. They typically refer to themselves as “Puerto Ricans” or “Boricuas” as opposed to “Americans” or “Americanos.” The majority of Puerto Ricans define “my country” as Puerto Rico rather than the United States. Boricua, which is derived from the Tano word Boriken, is used by Puerto Ricans to express their pride in their Tano heritage. The translation of Boriken is “the vast land of the valiant and noble Lord.” Prior to the arrival of the Spanish, the Tano people referred to themselves as Borikén.

Barbosa, de Diego, Muñoz Rivera, de Hostos, Luis Muñoz Marín, Ramón Emeterio Betances, Ernesto Ramos-Antonini, Román Baldorioty de Castro, and Luis A. Ferré are all honoured on this day. The purpose of the Day of Illustrious Puerto Ricans is to encourage the current generation of Boricuas to recognise the contributions of these great leaders to the development of Puerto Rican national identity.

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The Day of Illustrious Puerto Ricans: 5 FACTS

During the Spanish empire’s rule, Puerto Rico’s name was altered several times.

Puerto Rico is an archipelago consisting of a main island and a number of smaller islands.

The Jones-Shafroth Act granted Puerto Ricans U.S. citizenship for the first time since the United States won the Spanish-American War and arrived on the island.

Since Columbus arrived and claimed Puerto Rico as a Spanish colony, it has never been a free nation.

According to the country’s constitution, both Spanish and English are official languages in Puerto Rico.

THE DAY OF ILLUSTRIOUS PUERTO RICANS DATES

Year	Date	Day
2022	February 21	Monday
2023	February 20	Monday
2024	February 19	Monday
2025	February 17	Monday
2026	February 16	Monday