2011 First-Class Forever Stamp, Flags of Our Nation: Puerto Rico

# 4318 - 2011 First-Class Forever Stamp - Flags of Our Nation: Puerto Rico

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U.S. #4318
2011 44¢ Puerto Rico
Flags of Our Nation

Issue Date: August 11, 2011
City: Columbus, Ohio
Printed By: Sennett Security Products
Printing Method: Photogravure
Color: multicolored
 
Flags of Our Nation, Set V: The Flags of Our Nation stamps issued in 2011 is the fifth group of the series. The stamps show historic state flags, as well as a “snapshot” image that shares some of each state’s character.
 
Puerto Rico’s flag was a symbol of rebellion, which became the national flag of the commonwealth.  The Caribbean island was ruled by Spain, then the U.S. Its people tried to gain freedom from Spain in a rebellion called El Grito de Lares (The Cry of Lares). The defeated leaders were exiled to New York City, where they continued to plan for an independent nation. A flag, based on the Cuban version, was adopted in 1895 by the Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee. Three red stripes represented the blood of warriors. Two white stripes stood for victory and peace, which would come from independence. A white star on a blue triangle symbolized the island of Puerto Rico surrounded by the blue sky and water. The triangle stood for the three branches of government. 
 
The flag was brought to Puerto Rico and carried in a revolt in the town of Yauco. The nationals were defeated by the Spanish and the flag was outlawed. When Puerto Rico became part of the U.S. after the Spanish-American War, it was still illegal to fly the Puerto Rican flag in public or talk of independence. On March 3, 1952, the flag was adopted by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and could finally be proudly flown all over the island. 

Puerto Rico’s First Democratically-Elected Governor

On January 2, 1949, Luis Muñoz Marín became Puerto Rico’s first independently-elected governor.

Puerto Rico had been governed by Spain for more than three centuries before it was annexed to the United States in 1898.  For the next fifty years, its governor was appointed by America’s president.  In 1946, President Harry S. Truman appointed the island’s first full-time Puerto Rican governor –  Jesús T. Piñero.

However, twice previously a Puerto Rican had temporarily served as governor.  The first time was in 1579, when Juan Ponce de León II, the grandson of explorer Ponce de León, served as interim governor until the arrival of Spanish Governor Jerónimo De Aguero Campuzano.  Also, in 1923, Juan Bernardo Huyke temporarily held the position in between the administrations of Americans Emmet Montgomery Reily and Horace Mann Towner.

Then, in 1947, the United States Congress passed the Elective Governors Act, allowing Puerto Rico to elect its own governor.  On November 2, 1947, the first elections for governor of Puerto Rico were held.  Luis Muñoz Marín, a member of the Popular Democratic Party, emerged victorious, with 61.2% of the vote.

Marín first became involved in politics in the 1930s.  As a member of the Puerto Rican Senate, he supported industrialization and agricultural reform.  As president of the senate, Marín helped form Operation Bootstrap, which encouraged investment in manufacturing plants and job training for those in poverty.  During his campaign for governor, Marín claimed, “Don’t trust politicians, even me.  If you want to sell your vote, go ahead: it’s a free country.  But make up your minds that you can’t have justice and the $2.00.”

On January 2, 1949, Marin was sworn in as Puerto Rico’s first independently elected governor, a position he held until 1965.  Under his leadership, Puerto Rico was given greater autonomy from the US, and also adopted a constitution.  After serving five terms, supporters wanted Muñoz Marín to run again.  He declined, saying “I am not your strength… You are your own strength.”  The former governor was praised by world leaders for the advances his country made under his leadership.  Time magazine called Muñoz Marín “one of the most influential politicians in recent times, whose works will be remembered for years to come.”

Puerto Rico became a Commonwealth of the United States in 1952, and Congress approved the first Constitution of Puerto Rico.  It listed rules on how Puerto Rico’s governors could be elected, including one that states if the margin of victory is less than half a percent, then a full recount must occur.  This happened in 1980 and 2004.

Sila Calderón became the first woman to be elected governor of Puerto Rico when she won the 2000 election.  She served from 2001-2005.  Calderón previously served as mayor of San Juan from 1997-2001.

 

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U.S. #4318
2011 44¢ Puerto Rico
Flags of Our Nation

Issue Date: August 11, 2011
City: Columbus, Ohio
Printed By: Sennett Security Products
Printing Method: Photogravure
Color: multicolored
 
Flags of Our Nation, Set V: The Flags of Our Nation stamps issued in 2011 is the fifth group of the series. The stamps show historic state flags, as well as a “snapshot” image that shares some of each state’s character.
 
Puerto Rico’s flag was a symbol of rebellion, which became the national flag of the commonwealth.  The Caribbean island was ruled by Spain, then the U.S. Its people tried to gain freedom from Spain in a rebellion called El Grito de Lares (The Cry of Lares). The defeated leaders were exiled to New York City, where they continued to plan for an independent nation. A flag, based on the Cuban version, was adopted in 1895 by the Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee. Three red stripes represented the blood of warriors. Two white stripes stood for victory and peace, which would come from independence. A white star on a blue triangle symbolized the island of Puerto Rico surrounded by the blue sky and water. The triangle stood for the three branches of government. 
 
The flag was brought to Puerto Rico and carried in a revolt in the town of Yauco. The nationals were defeated by the Spanish and the flag was outlawed. When Puerto Rico became part of the U.S. after the Spanish-American War, it was still illegal to fly the Puerto Rican flag in public or talk of independence. On March 3, 1952, the flag was adopted by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and could finally be proudly flown all over the island. 

Puerto Rico’s First Democratically-Elected Governor

On January 2, 1949, Luis Muñoz Marín became Puerto Rico’s first independently-elected governor.

Puerto Rico had been governed by Spain for more than three centuries before it was annexed to the United States in 1898.  For the next fifty years, its governor was appointed by America’s president.  In 1946, President Harry S. Truman appointed the island’s first full-time Puerto Rican governor –  Jesús T. Piñero.

However, twice previously a Puerto Rican had temporarily served as governor.  The first time was in 1579, when Juan Ponce de León II, the grandson of explorer Ponce de León, served as interim governor until the arrival of Spanish Governor Jerónimo De Aguero Campuzano.  Also, in 1923, Juan Bernardo Huyke temporarily held the position in between the administrations of Americans Emmet Montgomery Reily and Horace Mann Towner.

Then, in 1947, the United States Congress passed the Elective Governors Act, allowing Puerto Rico to elect its own governor.  On November 2, 1947, the first elections for governor of Puerto Rico were held.  Luis Muñoz Marín, a member of the Popular Democratic Party, emerged victorious, with 61.2% of the vote.

Marín first became involved in politics in the 1930s.  As a member of the Puerto Rican Senate, he supported industrialization and agricultural reform.  As president of the senate, Marín helped form Operation Bootstrap, which encouraged investment in manufacturing plants and job training for those in poverty.  During his campaign for governor, Marín claimed, “Don’t trust politicians, even me.  If you want to sell your vote, go ahead: it’s a free country.  But make up your minds that you can’t have justice and the $2.00.”

On January 2, 1949, Marin was sworn in as Puerto Rico’s first independently elected governor, a position he held until 1965.  Under his leadership, Puerto Rico was given greater autonomy from the US, and also adopted a constitution.  After serving five terms, supporters wanted Muñoz Marín to run again.  He declined, saying “I am not your strength… You are your own strength.”  The former governor was praised by world leaders for the advances his country made under his leadership.  Time magazine called Muñoz Marín “one of the most influential politicians in recent times, whose works will be remembered for years to come.”

Puerto Rico became a Commonwealth of the United States in 1952, and Congress approved the first Constitution of Puerto Rico.  It listed rules on how Puerto Rico’s governors could be elected, including one that states if the margin of victory is less than half a percent, then a full recount must occur.  This happened in 1980 and 2004.

Sila Calderón became the first woman to be elected governor of Puerto Rico when she won the 2000 election.  She served from 2001-2005.  Calderón previously served as mayor of San Juan from 1997-2001.

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