Flags of Puerto Rico

Quick Facts: Who was Flags of Puerto Rico?

Subject:

Flags of Puerto Rico

Known for:

The flag representing Puerto Rico, featuring five horizontal stripes and a blue triangle with a white star.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The flag of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Bandera de Puerto Rico), officially the Flag of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Bandera del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit. 'Flag of the Free Associated State of Puerto Rico'), represents Puerto Rico and its people. It consists of five equal horizontal stripes, alternating from red to white, with a blue equilateral triangle based on the hoist side bearing a large, sharp, upright, five-pointed white star in the center. The white star stands for the archipelago and island, the three sides of the triangle for the three branches of the government, the blue for the sky and coastal waters, the red for the blood shed by warriors, and the white for liberty, victory, and peace. The flag is popularly known as the Monoestrellada, meaning having a lone star, or being single-starred.

Career & Major Achievements

It is in the Stars and Stripes flag family. In September 1868, the Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico launched the Grito de Lares (Cry of Lares) revolt against Spanish rule in the main island, intending to establish a free and independent "Republic of Puerto Rico" under the Bandera del Grito de Lares (Grito de Lares Flag), commonly known as the bandera de Lares (Lares flag). Marking the establishment of a national consciousness for the first time in Puerto Rico, it is recognized as the first flag of the archipelago and island. In December 1895, 27 years after the failed revolt in the municipality of Lares, members of the committee, in partnership with fellow Cuban rebels exiled in New York City, replaced the Lares flag with the current design as the new revolutionary flag to represent an independent Puerto Rico. Based on the flag of Cuba, the standard of the Cuban War of Independence against Spain, its adoption symbolized the strong bonds existing between Cuban and Puerto Rican revolutionaries and the united independence struggles of Cuba and Puerto Rico as the last two remaining territories of the Spanish Empire in the Americas since 1825.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico identified the colors of the flag as red, white, and blue but failed to specify any shade, leading to an ongoing debate about the tonality of the color blue. Contemporaneous secondary oral sources claimed that the light blue used on the Lares flag was retained. However, the only Lares flag authenticated by a written primary source from 1872 features a dark blue. Moreover, primary sources from 1895 and 1897 have also established that the original color adopted and used by members of the committee was a dark blue. Despite the debate, the independence movement of Puerto Rico adopted light blue as the color of the flag, after it was first introduced in 1967.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1825: 1825 Milestone — Based on the flag of Cuba, the standard of the Cuban War of Independence against Spain, its adoption symbolized the strong bonds existing between Cuban and Puerto Rican revolutionaries and the united independence struggles of Cuba and Puerto Rico as the last two remaining territories of the Spanish Empire in the Americas since 1825.
2. 1868: 1868 Milestone — In September 1868, the Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico launched the Grito de Lares (Cry of Lares) revolt against Spanish rule in the main island, intending to establish a free and independent "Republic of Puerto Rico" under the Bandera del Grito de Lares (Grito de Lares Flag), commonly known as the bandera de Lares (Lares flag).
3. 1872: 1872 Milestone — However, the only Lares flag authenticated by a written primary source from 1872 features a dark blue.
4. 1895: 1895 Milestone — In December 1895, 27 years after the failed revolt in the municipality of Lares, members of the committee, in partnership with fellow Cuban rebels exiled in New York City, replaced the Lares flag with the current design as the new revolutionary flag to represent an independent Puerto Rico.
5. 1967: 1967 Milestone — Despite the debate, the independence movement of Puerto Rico adopted light blue as the color of the flag, after it was first introduced in 1967.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Flags of Puerto Rico

True or False: “The original Grito de Lares flag used only the colors red, white, and blue without any specified shade for the blue.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While the initial movement identified the colors as red, white, and blue, primary sources from 1895 and 1897 established that the original adopted color was a dark blue.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Abd El-Razzak El-Sanhuri — Historical peer (Born in 1895) (1895): Pioneering Egyptian jurist, celebrated for authoring the revised Civil Code of 1948.
• Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah — Historical peer (Born in 1895) (1895): Founder of modern Kuwait, he oversaw its transition to an independent state.
• A. P. Hill — Historical peer (Born in 1825) (1825): Confederate general who distinguished himself in the American Civil War.
• Adelaide Anne Procter — Historical peer (Born in 1825) (1825): English poet and philanthropist known for her work on poverty and faith.
• Aleksis Kivi — Historical peer (Died in 1872) (1872): The national writer of Finland, credited with the first significant novel in the Finnish language.
• Alexandra Feodorovna (Alix of Hesse) — Historical peer (Born in 1872) (1872): Last Empress of Russia, consort to Nicholas II, deeply influential figure in late Imperial history.
• Alphonse Daudet — Historical peer (Died in 1897) (1897): French novelist celebrated for his evocative short stories and novels.
• Amelia Earhart — Historical peer (Born in 1897) (1897): Iconic American aviator whose pioneering flights shaped early 20th-century aviation.

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