When did Christopher Columbus arrive on the island he named San Juan Bautista?
Christopher Columbus arrived on the island in 1493. The Taíno people had already lived there for centuries before his arrival.
Questions about Puerto Rico
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What happened to Puerto Rico after the Spanish American War ended in 1898?
The United States acquired Puerto Rico when the Spanish American War ended in 1898. The Foraker Act of 1900 established a civil government and ended rule by American generals.
How many percent voted for statehood during the November 2012 referendum in Puerto Rico?
Sixty-one point one six percent chose statehood as their preferred alternative during the two-question referendum that took place in November 2012. Thirty-three point three four percent supported sovereign free association while five point four nine percent favored independence.
Which hurricanes struck Puerto Rico in September 2017 and what damage did they cause?
Category 5 Hurricane Irma struck on the 7th of September 2017 followed by Category 4 Hurricane Maria on the 20th of September 2017. All power was knocked out during these storms along with ninety-five percent cell service and forty-three percent waste water treatment plants.
When did a magnitude 6.4 earthquake strike Puerto Rico and how much infrastructure damage occurred?
A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck on the 7th of January 2020 killing one person and damaging infrastructure worth over $3.1 billion. This event marked the largest quake since 1918 when a similar tremor originated off Aguadilla's coast.