nPostednon April 16, 2015
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Inhave often seen people honored as “Father of His Country,” “ThenLiberator,” or other similar titles – when the person beingnhonored won his campaign for full independence of his country.
Inhave often seen people honored as “Father of His Country,” “ThenLiberator,” or other similar titles – when the person beingnhonored won his campaign for full independence of his country.n
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nHowever,nJose de Diego is called “The Father of the Puerto RicannIndependence Movement,” and is honored every year on his birthday,nand is the namesake of roads and schools and such –
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nBut Puerto Riconstill isn’t independent!
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nBornnin Puerto Rico on this date in 1867, de Diego got his early educationnin Puerto Rico but his university education in Spain (including a lawndegree). He worked for Puerto Rico’s independence from Spain – andnwhen Spain acknowledged Puerto Rico’s autonomy (not quite the samenthing as full independence), in 1897, he became the Sub-Secretary ofnJustice and Government.
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| A Puerto Rican boat painted like its flag. |
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nAaaannnddnthen Puerto Rico was invaded by the United State!
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nInn1900, U.S. President William McKinley named de Diego as a member ofnan Executive Cabinet under an American governor. But de Diegonwouldn’t compromise; he resigned from the position and continued tonwork for Puerto Rico’s right to rule itself. He won an electednposition and presided over the House of Delegates, and he helped passnresolution after resolution – for independence, against thenimposition of U.S. citizenship on Puerto Ricans, etc. All of thosenresolutions were vetoed by the U.S. president.
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nInn1917, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed into law the JonesnShafroth Act, which made the people of Puerto Rico citizens – butncitizens who are not represented in Congress (not by votingnrepresentatives, that is) and who do not help elect the President.
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nForna nation that got its start railing against “taxation withoutnrepresentation,” this seems pretty problematic. Puerto Ricans arenrequired to pay most U.S. federal taxes (although most do not have tonpay the federal income tax).
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| Tourism is important to today’s Puerto Rico. |
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nOnenthing I loved discovering about Jose de Diego that he was also knownnas a poet. He published several poetry books and is known as then“Father of the Modern Puerto Rican Poetry Movement.”
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nJosende Diego, “Father” of this, “Father” of that! Hooray for denDiego today!
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| This middle school in Florida is named for Jose de Diego. |
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nIt’sninteresting to note that at least three schools in the continentalnU.S. are named after de Diego.
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nAlsonon this date:
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Kuomboka in Zambia
Kuomboka in Zambia n
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nThenQueen’s birthday in Denmark
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nCanenand Derby Day
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nBritishnMuseum founder Hans Sloane’s birthday
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nEmancipationnDay in the U.S.
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nPlannahead:
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nChecknout my Pinterest boards for:
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nApriln holidays
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nAndnhere are my Pinterest boards for:
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nMayn holidays
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nMayn birthdays
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nHistoricaln anniversaries in May
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