Luis Muñoz Marín
Encyclopedia
Don José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín (February 18, 1898April 30, 1980) was a Puerto Rican
poet, journalist, and politician. Regarded as the "father of modern Puerto Rico," he was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico
. Muñoz Marín was the son of Luis Muñoz Rivera
, a renowned autonomist leader. Following the death of his father, he began writing poetry, eventually publishing two books. After a brief involvement with the Socialist Party
, he began developing an ideology based on independence. In 1932, he joined the newly formed Liberal Party of Puerto Rico and ran a successful bid for senator. In 1937, Muñoz Marín was expelled from the Liberal Party and created a group known as Acción Social Independentista. One year later, he took part in the foundation of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
. This party won a majority in the Senate of Puerto Rico
, with Muñoz Marín serving as its president. In 1947, the United States Congress
passed legislation that allowed Puerto Rico to elect its own governor. Consequently, Muñoz Marín ran a successful campaign for the position, taking office on January 2, 1949.
He worked with the U.S. Congress towards the creation of a Constitution
, which was a key element to change the status of Puerto Rico to Estado Libre Asociado or "commonwealth". Muñoz Marín was re-elected three times, serving a total of sixteen years as Governor, all of them representing the Popular Democratic Party. In 1963, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
. In 1970, Muñoz Marín retired from politics, spending his later life as a traveler. On April 30, 1980, he died due to health complications. Muñoz Marín's funeral gathered attention throughout Puerto Rico, being attended by thousands of followers.
and Amalia Marín Castilla. His father was a poet and a politician, responsible for founding two newspapers, El Diario and La Democracia. Days before Luis' birth, he traveled to Spain and presented a proposal of autonomy for Puerto Rico, which was accepted. His father was elected to serve as Secretary of State of Puerto Rico
and Chief of the Cabinet for the independent Government of Puerto Rico. On August 12, 1898, Puerto Rico was annexed by the United States, following the conclusion of the Spanish–American War. His father assisted in establishing an insular police force, but opposed the military colonial government that was established by the United States, eventually resigned from office on February 4, 1899.
His great-grandfather, Luis Muñoz Iglesias, was born on October 12, 1797, in Palencia
, Spain. His great-grandfather served in the Spanish Army
, where he received several recognitions, after participating against Simón Bolívar
during the Admirable Campaign
. Once the conflict was over, he traveled to Puerto Rico along with his commanding officer, Miguel de la Torre
. He subsequently settled in a farm in Cidra
and married María Escolástica Barrios.
When Muñoz Marín was three years old, a group of statehood supporters broke into the El Diario's building, vandalizing most of the equipment. Following this incident, the family moved to Caguas
. After receiving further threats from the statehood movements, the family decided to move to New York City. There Muñoz Marín learned English, while his father founded the bilingual newspaper Puerto Rico Herald. During the following years, the family constantly traveled between both locations. His father founded the Unionist Party in Puerto Rico, which won the election in 1904. Following the party's victory, he was selected as a member the House of Delegates.
In 1910, his father was elected Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
to the United States Congress
. Muñoz Marín briefly moved to New York with his mother before moving to Washington, D.C., after his father insisted. In 1911, he began his studies at the Georgetown Preparatory School
, but disliked the institution's strict discipline and failed the tenth grade. In 1915, his father enrolled him at Georgetown University Law Center
, but Muñoz Marín was uninterested in the subject matter, instead wanting to become a poet. In late 1916, Muñoz Marín and his mother were called to Puerto Rico by Eduardo Georgetti, a friend of the family, who informed them that his father was suffering from an infection that had begun in the gallbladder
, but was starting to expand throughout his body. His father, Luis Muñoz Rivera, died on November 15, 1916.
, who succeeded his father as Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
.
Muñoz Marín married American writer Muna Lee
on July 1, 1919. Lee, from Raymond
, Mississippi, was a leading Southern
feminist and a rising writer of Pan-American
poetry. The couple lived in poverty during the first months of their marriage, establishing residence in Staten Island
.
In 1920, Muñoz Marín was selected to deliver a check to Santiago Iglesias, the president of Socialist Party of Puerto Rico
. Enthusiastic with the idea of meeting him, they moved to Puerto Rico where the couple's first daughter, Munita, was born. Upon arriving, he noticed that some of the landowners were paying the jíbaro
s—the mountain dwelling peasants of Puerto Rico— two dollars in exchange for their votes. He immediately joined the Socialist Party, a decision that was regarded as a "disaster" by his family. In October 1920, the Socialist Party recruited members of the Republican Party of Puerto Rico in order to win upcoming elections. Disappointed, Muñoz Marín moved to New Jersey
with his family. Shortly after, his first son, Luis Muñoz Lee, was born.
In 1923, he returned to Puerto Rico alone to publish a book covering several of his father's unpublished works into a book compendium. This took nearly two years, with a book titled Political Campaigns being published. Two years later, Antonio R. Barceló
, who was the president of a newly formed Coalition
, called Muñoz Marín to work in La Democracia. After experiencing problems with members of the party's Republican faction, due to autonomist material in his works, he returned to New York alone. Here he wrote for The American Mercury
and The Nation
.
In 1931, after traveling throughout the United States, Muñoz Marín noticed the instability of the country's economy. Deciding that independence was the only way to resolve Puerto Rico's economic and social problems, he borrowed money from a group of friends and returned to the main island. Upon arriving, he discovered that Hurricane San Felipe Segundo
had destroyed most of the sugar crops where the jíbaros worked, leaving the majority unemployed.
. That organization's president, Pedro Albizu Campos
, occasionally visited Muñoz Marín. He was impressed by the substance of Albizu's arguments, but their styles to achieve autonomy and social reforms were different. In 1932, Barceló abandoned the Coalition, which by this time had weakened, seeking to establish a new independence movement. Barceló employed several of Muñoz Marín's ideas of social and economic reforms and autonomy, using them to form the ideological belief of a newly formed Liberal Party of Puerto Rico. Muñoz Marín joined the Liberal Party and led La Democracia, which had become the party's official newspaper. He believed that the only way to directly work with the reforms he promoted was by becoming an active politician. Most of his discourses discussed ways to provide more land, hospitals, food and schools to the general public.
On March 13, 1932, Muñoz Marín was nominated by the party for the post of senator. Although the party lost the 1932 elections, Muñoz Marín received enough votes to receive a position in the Puerto Rican Senate. Shorty after, Rudy Black, a reporter for La Democracia arranged a meeting between him and Eleanor Roosevelt
. Muñoz Marín wanted her to examine Puerto Rico's problems personally and convinced her to travel to the main island. Five months later, Roosevelt was received in Fort San Felipe del Morro
and La Fortaleza
, before traveling to El Fanguito, a poor sector that had received the impact of an hurricane. Images from the visit were published by newspapers in Puerto Rico and the United States, which outraged former American governors that ruled over the archipelago, as well as the incumbent. Following his wife's report, Franklin D. Roosevelt
included Puerto Rico in the New Deal
program. Muñoz Marín became a popular political figure due to his involvement in the program.
In 1937, political disagreements between Muñoz Marín and Antonio R. Barceló led to his expulsion from the Liberal Party. This was mostly based on disagreements on how to bring independence to Puerto Rico. When a congressman wanted to "punish" Puerto Rico for the assassination of an American police officer, he proposed a bill called the "Tydings Bill". Some independence supporters wanted to support the bill, but Muñoz Marín disagreed comparing it to a principle known as Ley de Fuga, where a police officer would arrest someone and kindly release him before shooting them in the back while retreating. This led to his expulsion, severely affecting his public image. He would then create a group named Acción Social Independentista (ASI) ("Pro-Independence Social Action") which would later become the Partido Liberal Neto, Auténtico y Completo. This organization served as opposition to the Liberal Party, which continued being headed by Antonio R. Barceló.
In 1938, Muñoz Marín would help in the creation of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
(Partido Popular Democratico). The party's ideology promised to help the jíbaros, regardless of political belief, promoting the creation of minimal wages, initiatives to provide food and water, cooperatives to work with the agriculture and the creation of more industrial alternatives. Muñoz Marín concentrated his political campaigning in the rural areas of Puerto Rico. He attacked the then common practice of paying off rural farm workers to influence their vote, insisting that they "lend" their vote for only one election. The party's first rally attracted a solid participation, which was unexpected by the other political parties. During his campaign he met Inés Mendoza
, who would later become his second wife. Mendoza was a teacher who had been fired after complaining about the United States' prohibition of teaching classes in Spanish. Both discussed the matter and agreed that substituting "one language for another is to diminish that country's capacity to be happy". Mendoza joined the campaign directed towards the jíbaros. Muñoz Marín and Muna Lee had separated, and he asked Mendoza to "stay with him all his life". Due to the party's low income, he would sometimes spend the night at a jíbaro's house.
, a result which was attributed to the campaigning he did in the rural areas. Muñoz Marín was then elected the fourth President of the Senate. A month later, his partner Mendoza gave birth to a daughter, who they named Victoria in commemoration of the victory. During his term as President of the Senate, Muñoz was an advocate of the working class of Puerto Rico. Along with Governor Rexford Tugwell
, the last non-Puerto Rican Governor of Puerto Rico appointed by a US President, and the republican-socialist coalition which headed the House of Representatives, he would help advance legislation geared towards agricultural reform, economic recovery and industrialization. This program became known as Operation Bootstrap
. It was coupled with a program of agrarian reform (land redistribution) which limited the area that could be held by large sugarcane interests. During the first forty years of the 20th century, Puerto Rico's dominant economic product were sugarcane by-products. Operation Bootstrap enticed investors to transfer or create manufacturing plants, offering them local and federal tax concessions, while maintaining access to American markets free of import duties.
The program facilitated a shift from an agricultural to an industrial economy. The 1950s saw the development of labor-intensive light industries, such as textiles; manufacturing later gave way to heavy industry, such as petrochemicals and oil refining, in the 1960s and 1970s. Jíbaros were taught in Spanish and taught to work in jobs being promoted by the government. Muñoz Marín backed legislation to limit the amount of land a company could own. Muñoz Marín's development programs brought some prosperity for an emergent middle class. The industrialization was in part fueled by generous local incentives, and freedom from federal taxation, while providing access to continental US markets without import duties. A rural agricultural society was transformed into an industrial working class. Muñoz Marín also launched Operación Serenidad ("Operation Serenity"), a series of projects geared towards promoting education and appreciation of the arts.
Operation Bootstrap was criticized by civil rights groups and the Catholic Church, who perceived that the government promoted birth control, encouraged surgical sterilization and fostered the migration of Puerto Ricans to the United States.
During the early stages of World War II many thousands of Puerto Ricans were drafted to serve in the United States Army
, which eased overpopulation in the main island. Muñoz Marín promoted the construction of public housing projects to resolve this problem. During the war he established low-interest scholarships and loans for the residents that weren't drafted. To address health issues, free public clinics were opened throughout Puerto Rico.
In 1944 the Popular Democratic Party repeated the political victory of the previous elections. Muñoz Marín and Lee finally divorced on November 15, 1946. His decision to live with another woman without completing the process attracted criticism from political adversaries. The following day, on November 16, 1946, Muñoz Marín married Inés Mendoza. The couple's second daughter was Viviana Muñoz Mendoza. In 1947, Congress approved legislation allowing Puerto Ricans to elect its own Governor. Muñoz Marín successfully campaigned for the post, thus becoming only the second Puerto Rican and the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico
.
Muñoz Marín officially took office on January 2, 1949. He held the post of Governor for sixteen years, being re-elected again in the 1952, 1956 and 1960 elections. In 1957, Muñoz Marín received a Doctor of Laws degree (LL.D.) from Bates College. Once the amount of illiteracy and other social problems were reduced, the party began debating how to establish an autonomous government. Muñoz Marín then reunited with his government officials, ultimately the group agreed to adopt an "Associate Free State" format that had been proposed by Barceló decades before. In Spanish the proposal's name remained unchanged, but was changed to "Commonwealth" in English translations, to avoid opposition from any congressman that could confuse it with another status, such as statehood. The main goal of the proposal was to move Puerto Rico away from colonialism by giving it a degree of autonomy and a constitution, while keeping political ties with the United States.
During his terms as governor, a Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico, of which he was a member, was convened in which the Constitution of Puerto Rico
was drafted. It was approved by the United States Congress in 1952. Not pursuing Puerto Rican Independence angered many followers of Muñoz Marín's Popular Democratic Party, who then formed the Puerto Rican Independence Party
soon after.
Another faction confronted Muñoz Marín for his change of status preference, this was the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico, led by Albizu Campos. On October 30, 1950, a group of Puerto Rican nationalists attacked the governor's mansion, La Fortaleza
, as part of a revolt which included the Jayuya Uprising
and the Utuado Uprising
. These acts angered Muñoz Marín, who activated the National Guard and ordered the arrest of Nationalists including Albizu Campos. Subsequently, the Muñoz Marín administration employed the power of law 53, known as Ley de Mordaza (lit. "the gag law") to arrest thousands of Puerto Ricans without due process, including pro-independence supporters that were uninvolved in the uprisings.
The inauguration acts for the establishment of the Estado Libre Associado took place on July 25, 1952. Security for the event was tightened to avoid any incident, with invitations being issued. Muñoz Marín feared that the new status could affect the Puerto Rican culture or "Americanize
" the archipelago's language
. Trying to work with this concern, the government began promoting cultural activities, founding the Pablo Casals Festival, Music Conservatory and Puerto Rico's Institute of Culture.
In the 1950s, most jíbaros pursued work in factories instead of agriculture, trying to avoid having to deal with the losses that hurricanes produced. A massive migration from Puerto Rico to New York continued throughout the decade. Muñoz Marín expressed that the he "did not agree with" the "continuing situation", claiming that the "battle for good life, should not have all its emphasis placed on industrialization. Part of it must be placed on agriculture." However, American critics felt that he encouraged the migration to reduce overpopulation. Despite efforts to produce more agricultural work, the migration persisted. Muñoz Marín was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
on December 6, 1962, by United States President John F. Kennedy
.
By 1964, Muñoz Marín had been governor for sixteen years. A group of young members of the Popular Democratic Party felt that he should retire. The group completed a proposal suggesting that he resign the position, which also included a limit of two terms for elected officials. The group named themselves Los veinte y dos ("The twenty-twos") and began running a campaign, where they would call civilians asking for support. Victoria, Muñoz Marín's youngest daughter joined the group, which he didn't oppose. The day before the party had an assembly to elect their candidates, he announced his decision of not running for another term. Muñoz Marín recommended his Secretary of State
, Roberto Sánchez Vilella
, for the party's candidacy. The crowd vocally protested his decision, calling for "four more years", to which he responded by saying "I am not your strength... You are your own strength." Sánchez Vilella would go on to be elected Governor.
. Muñoz Marín and Sánchez Vilella's friendship was severely strained after this.
After resigning his senate seat in 1970, Muñoz Marín temporally moved to Italy
, where his daughter, Viviana, had established residence. During this time, he traveled to various destinations in Europe, including France, Spain and Greece
. He would return to Puerto Rico two years later, where he began writing an autobiography. He also promoted the gubernatorial candidacy of the senate's president Rafael Hernández Colón
, the new leader of the Popular Democratic Party.
Late in his life, Muñoz Marín's health weakened. On January 5, 1976, he suffered a severe stroke, which temporarily affected his ability to move, read and speak. On April 30, 1980, Luis Muñoz Marín died at the age of 82, after suffering complications from a severe fever, which left him without physical strength. His funeral became an island-wide event, dwarfing his own father's funeral in 1916, and attended by tens of thousands of followers.
Muñoz Marín's tenure as governor saw immense changes in Puerto Rico. The island was shifting from a mainly rural to an urban society; second-generation Puerto Ricans in the United States now outnumber those from the archipelago. Puerto Rico achieved degrees of autonomy it never had seen; a constitution was written. However, to some, the idealist and nationalist of Muñoz Marín's youth had required a Faustian accommodation with the might and wealth of United States. To some, Muñoz Marín had abandoned his youthful adherence to Puerto Rican Independence and instead cemented Puerto Rico's current commonwealth status. Others see Luis Muñoz Marín as the person who heralded the modern Puerto Rico.
Muñoz Marín was featured twice on the cover of Time
magazine. The articles called him "one of the most influential politicians in recent times, whose works will be remembered for years to come." His daughter, Victoria Muñoz Mendoza, also became involved in the politics of Puerto Rico, and in 1992 ran an unsuccessful campaign for Governor. The main civil airport on the island of Puerto Rico bears his name Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
as well as other institutions, particularly those directed towards education.
He has been honored by the United States Postal Service
with a 5¢ Great Americans series
postage stamp.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
poet, journalist, and politician. Regarded as the "father of modern Puerto Rico," he was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
. Muñoz Marín was the son of Luis Muñoz Rivera
Luis Muñoz Rivera
Luis Muñoz Rivera was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist and politician. He was a major figure in the struggle for political autonomy of Puerto Rico....
, a renowned autonomist leader. Following the death of his father, he began writing poetry, eventually publishing two books. After a brief involvement with the Socialist Party
Socialist Party (Puerto Rico)
The Socialist Party was a political party in Puerto Rico.It was founded as the Labor Party in 1900 by Santiago Iglesias Pantín, an early leader of the Puerto Rican labor movement who was influenced by the Socialist Labor Party of America. It was formally refounded as the PS on March 21, 1915, in...
, he began developing an ideology based on independence. In 1932, he joined the newly formed Liberal Party of Puerto Rico and ran a successful bid for senator. In 1937, Muñoz Marín was expelled from the Liberal Party and created a group known as Acción Social Independentista. One year later, he took part in the foundation of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and sovereignty, through the enhancement of Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth....
. This party won a majority in the Senate of Puerto Rico
Senate of Puerto Rico
The Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...
, with Muñoz Marín serving as its president. In 1947, the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
passed legislation that allowed Puerto Rico to elect its own governor. Consequently, Muñoz Marín ran a successful campaign for the position, taking office on January 2, 1949.
He worked with the U.S. Congress towards the creation of a Constitution
Constitution of Puerto Rico
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is the controlling government document of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is composed of nine articles detailing the structure of the government as well as the function of several of its institutions. The document also contains an extensive...
, which was a key element to change the status of Puerto Rico to Estado Libre Asociado or "commonwealth". Muñoz Marín was re-elected three times, serving a total of sixteen years as Governor, all of them representing the Popular Democratic Party. In 1963, he was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
. In 1970, Muñoz Marín retired from politics, spending his later life as a traveler. On April 30, 1980, he died due to health complications. Muñoz Marín's funeral gathered attention throughout Puerto Rico, being attended by thousands of followers.
Childhood
Luis Muñoz Marín was born on February 18, 1898 at 152 Calle de la Fortaleza in Old San Juan. He was the son of Luis Muñoz RiveraLuis Muñoz Rivera
Luis Muñoz Rivera was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist and politician. He was a major figure in the struggle for political autonomy of Puerto Rico....
and Amalia Marín Castilla. His father was a poet and a politician, responsible for founding two newspapers, El Diario and La Democracia. Days before Luis' birth, he traveled to Spain and presented a proposal of autonomy for Puerto Rico, which was accepted. His father was elected to serve as Secretary of State of Puerto Rico
Secretary of State of Puerto Rico
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico provides for the position of Secretary of State of Puerto Rico who is first in line to exercise the role of acting Governor when the Governor is temporarily unavailable, whether because of being away from Puerto Rico or due to another temporary...
and Chief of the Cabinet for the independent Government of Puerto Rico. On August 12, 1898, Puerto Rico was annexed by the United States, following the conclusion of the Spanish–American War. His father assisted in establishing an insular police force, but opposed the military colonial government that was established by the United States, eventually resigned from office on February 4, 1899.
His great-grandfather, Luis Muñoz Iglesias, was born on October 12, 1797, in Palencia
Palencia (province)
Palencia is a province of northern Spain, in the northern part of the autonomous community of Castile and León. It is bordered by the provinces of León, Cantabria, Burgos, and Valladolid....
, Spain. His great-grandfather served in the Spanish Army
Spanish Army
The Spanish Army is the terrestrial army of the Spanish Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is one of the oldest active armies - dating back to the 15th century.-Introduction:...
, where he received several recognitions, after participating against Simón Bolívar
Simón Bolívar
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Yeiter, commonly known as Simón Bolívar was a Venezuelan military and political leader...
during the Admirable Campaign
Admirable Campaign
The Admirable Campaign was a military action led by Simón Bolívar in which the provinces of Mérida, Barinas, Trujillo and Caracas were conquered by the independentists...
. Once the conflict was over, he traveled to Puerto Rico along with his commanding officer, Miguel de la Torre
Miguel de la Torre
Miguel de la Torre y Pando, conde de Torrepando was a Spanish General, Governor and Captain General, who served in Spain, Venezuela, Colombia and Puerto Rico during the Spanish American wars of independence and after.At the age of fourteen he joined the Spanish Army as a soldier during the War of...
. He subsequently settled in a farm in Cidra
Cidra, Puerto Rico
Cidra is a municipality of Puerto Rico located in the central region of the island, north of Cayey; south of Comerío and Aguas Buenas; east of Aibonito and Barranquitas; and west of Caguas. Cidra is spread over 12 wards and Cidra Pueblo...
and married María Escolástica Barrios.
When Muñoz Marín was three years old, a group of statehood supporters broke into the El Diario's building, vandalizing most of the equipment. Following this incident, the family moved to Caguas
Caguas, Puerto Rico
Caguas , founded in 1775, is a city and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range of Puerto Rico, south of San Juan and Trujillo Alto, west of Gurabo and San Lorenzo, east of Aguas Buenas, Cidra, and Cayey....
. After receiving further threats from the statehood movements, the family decided to move to New York City. There Muñoz Marín learned English, while his father founded the bilingual newspaper Puerto Rico Herald. During the following years, the family constantly traveled between both locations. His father founded the Unionist Party in Puerto Rico, which won the election in 1904. Following the party's victory, he was selected as a member the House of Delegates.
Education
Luiz Muñoz Marín began his elementary education at William Penn Public School in Santurce, a district of San Juan. During this time the American colonial government tried to change Puerto Rico's main language and most classes were taught in English. Muñoz Marín was briefly assigned to first grade, but his knowledge in the language was too advanced and he was placed in second grade. He completed this year, but failed to pass third grade. The teacher cited that he had a short attention span and lack of interest. In 1908, Muñoz Marín was enrolled in a small private school in San Juan. Working with a teacher named Pedro Moczó, he covered all the material taught to students between third and eight grade in two years, passing with good grades.In 1910, his father was elected Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is a non-voting member of the United States House of Representatives elected by the voters of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico every four years...
to the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. Muñoz Marín briefly moved to New York with his mother before moving to Washington, D.C., after his father insisted. In 1911, he began his studies at the Georgetown Preparatory School
Georgetown Preparatory School
Georgetown Preparatory School is an American Jesuit college preparatory school for grades 9 through 12. It is the oldest all boys school in the United States, and the only Jesuit boarding school in the country...
, but disliked the institution's strict discipline and failed the tenth grade. In 1915, his father enrolled him at Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center
Georgetown University Law Center is the law school of Georgetown University, located in Washington, D.C.. Established in 1870, the Law Center offers J.D., LL.M., and S.J.D. degrees in law...
, but Muñoz Marín was uninterested in the subject matter, instead wanting to become a poet. In late 1916, Muñoz Marín and his mother were called to Puerto Rico by Eduardo Georgetti, a friend of the family, who informed them that his father was suffering from an infection that had begun in the gallbladder
Gallbladder
In vertebrates the gallbladder is a small organ that aids mainly in fat digestion and concentrates bile produced by the liver. In humans the loss of the gallbladder is usually easily tolerated....
, but was starting to expand throughout his body. His father, Luis Muñoz Rivera, died on November 15, 1916.
Poetry and ideological contrasts
A month later both returned to New York, where Muñoz Marín sold his law books and refused to return to Georgetown. Within a month, he published a book titled Borrones, composed of several stories and an act play. For several months, he served as the congressional clerk to Félix Córdova DávilaFélix Córdova Dávila
Félix Lope María Córdova Dávila was a political leader and judge from Puerto Rico who served as Puerto Rico's fourth Resident Commissioner in Congress.-Early years:...
, who succeeded his father as Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico
The Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is a non-voting member of the United States House of Representatives elected by the voters of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico every four years...
.
Muñoz Marín married American writer Muna Lee
Muna Lee (writer)
This article is about the Puerto Rico-based writer. For the American athlete, see Muna Lee .Muna Lee was an American author and poet who became widely known for her writings that promoted Pan-Americanism and Feminism.Born in Raymond, Mississippi, Lee began her writing career as a well-known lyric...
on July 1, 1919. Lee, from Raymond
Raymond, Mississippi
Raymond is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 1,664. Raymond is one of the two county seats of Hinds County and is the home of the main campus of Hinds Community College....
, Mississippi, was a leading Southern
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
feminist and a rising writer of Pan-American
Pan-Americanism
-History:The struggle for independence after 1810 by the Latin American nations evoked a sense of unity, especially in South America where, under Simón Bolívar in the north and José de San Martín in the south, there were cooperative efforts. Francisco Morazán briefly headed a Federal Republic of...
poetry. The couple lived in poverty during the first months of their marriage, establishing residence in Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
.
In 1920, Muñoz Marín was selected to deliver a check to Santiago Iglesias, the president of Socialist Party of Puerto Rico
Socialist Party (Puerto Rico)
The Socialist Party was a political party in Puerto Rico.It was founded as the Labor Party in 1900 by Santiago Iglesias Pantín, an early leader of the Puerto Rican labor movement who was influenced by the Socialist Labor Party of America. It was formally refounded as the PS on March 21, 1915, in...
. Enthusiastic with the idea of meeting him, they moved to Puerto Rico where the couple's first daughter, Munita, was born. Upon arriving, he noticed that some of the landowners were paying the jíbaro
Jíbaro
Jíbaro is a term from the Taíno words "jiba" and "ro", that means forest people, commonly used in Puerto Rico to refer to mountain-dwelling peasants, but in modern times it has gained a broader cultural meaning.-History:...
s—the mountain dwelling peasants of Puerto Rico— two dollars in exchange for their votes. He immediately joined the Socialist Party, a decision that was regarded as a "disaster" by his family. In October 1920, the Socialist Party recruited members of the Republican Party of Puerto Rico in order to win upcoming elections. Disappointed, Muñoz Marín moved to New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
with his family. Shortly after, his first son, Luis Muñoz Lee, was born.
In 1923, he returned to Puerto Rico alone to publish a book covering several of his father's unpublished works into a book compendium. This took nearly two years, with a book titled Political Campaigns being published. Two years later, Antonio R. Barceló
Antonio R. Barceló
Antonio Rafael Barceló y Martinez was a lawyer, businessman and the patriarch of what was to become one of Puerto Rico's most prominent political families...
, who was the president of a newly formed Coalition
Coalition (Puerto Rico)
The Coalition was an electoral alliance in Puerto Rico.The Coalition was formed in 1924, composed of the Republican Party and the Socialist Party. It was generally in favor of statehood and is generally regarded as representing the interests of United States sugar corporations. It held a majority...
, called Muñoz Marín to work in La Democracia. After experiencing problems with members of the party's Republican faction, due to autonomist material in his works, he returned to New York alone. Here he wrote for The American Mercury
The American Mercury
The American Mercury was an American magazine published from 1924 to 1981. It was founded as the brainchild of H. L. Mencken and drama critic George Jean Nathan. The magazine featured writing by some of the most important writers in the United States through the 1920s and 1930s...
and The Nation
The Nation
The Nation is the oldest continuously published weekly magazine in the United States. The periodical, devoted to politics and culture, is self-described as "the flagship of the left." Founded on July 6, 1865, It is published by The Nation Company, L.P., at 33 Irving Place, New York City.The Nation...
.
In 1931, after traveling throughout the United States, Muñoz Marín noticed the instability of the country's economy. Deciding that independence was the only way to resolve Puerto Rico's economic and social problems, he borrowed money from a group of friends and returned to the main island. Upon arriving, he discovered that Hurricane San Felipe Segundo
1928 Okeechobee Hurricane
The Okeechobee hurricane, or San Felipe Segundo hurricane, was a deadly hurricane that struck the Leeward Islands, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Florida in September of the 1928 Atlantic hurricane season...
had destroyed most of the sugar crops where the jíbaros worked, leaving the majority unemployed.
Senator
By the 1930s, Puerto Rico's political scenario had changed, the only party that was actively asking for independence was the Puerto Rican Nationalist PartyPuerto Rican Nationalist Party
The Puerto Rican Nationalist Party was founded on September 17, 1922. Its main objective is to work for Puerto Rican Independence.In 1919, José Coll y Cuchí, a member of the Union Party of Puerto Rico, felt that the Union Party was not doing enough for the cause of Puerto Rican independence and he...
. That organization's president, Pedro Albizu Campos
Pedro Albizu Campos
Don Pedro Albizu Campos was a Puerto Rican politician and one of the leading figures in the Puerto Rican independence movement. He was the leader and president of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party from 1930 until his death...
, occasionally visited Muñoz Marín. He was impressed by the substance of Albizu's arguments, but their styles to achieve autonomy and social reforms were different. In 1932, Barceló abandoned the Coalition, which by this time had weakened, seeking to establish a new independence movement. Barceló employed several of Muñoz Marín's ideas of social and economic reforms and autonomy, using them to form the ideological belief of a newly formed Liberal Party of Puerto Rico. Muñoz Marín joined the Liberal Party and led La Democracia, which had become the party's official newspaper. He believed that the only way to directly work with the reforms he promoted was by becoming an active politician. Most of his discourses discussed ways to provide more land, hospitals, food and schools to the general public.
On March 13, 1932, Muñoz Marín was nominated by the party for the post of senator. Although the party lost the 1932 elections, Muñoz Marín received enough votes to receive a position in the Puerto Rican Senate. Shorty after, Rudy Black, a reporter for La Democracia arranged a meeting between him and Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. She supported the New Deal policies of her husband, distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and became an advocate for civil rights. After her husband's death in 1945, Roosevelt continued to be an international...
. Muñoz Marín wanted her to examine Puerto Rico's problems personally and convinced her to travel to the main island. Five months later, Roosevelt was received in Fort San Felipe del Morro
Fort San Felipe del Morro
Also known as Fort San Felipe del Morro or Morro Castle, is a 16th-century citadel located in San Juan, Puerto Rico.- Rundown :Lies on the northwestern-most point of the islet of San Juan, Puerto Rico...
and La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza is the current official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. It was built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the harbor of San Juan. The structure is also known as Palacio de Santa Catalina . It is the oldest executive mansion in the New World...
, before traveling to El Fanguito, a poor sector that had received the impact of an hurricane. Images from the visit were published by newspapers in Puerto Rico and the United States, which outraged former American governors that ruled over the archipelago, as well as the incumbent. Following his wife's report, Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
included Puerto Rico in the New Deal
New Deal
The New Deal was a series of economic programs implemented in the United States between 1933 and 1936. They were passed by the U.S. Congress during the first term of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The programs were Roosevelt's responses to the Great Depression, and focused on what historians call...
program. Muñoz Marín became a popular political figure due to his involvement in the program.
In 1937, political disagreements between Muñoz Marín and Antonio R. Barceló led to his expulsion from the Liberal Party. This was mostly based on disagreements on how to bring independence to Puerto Rico. When a congressman wanted to "punish" Puerto Rico for the assassination of an American police officer, he proposed a bill called the "Tydings Bill". Some independence supporters wanted to support the bill, but Muñoz Marín disagreed comparing it to a principle known as Ley de Fuga, where a police officer would arrest someone and kindly release him before shooting them in the back while retreating. This led to his expulsion, severely affecting his public image. He would then create a group named Acción Social Independentista (ASI) ("Pro-Independence Social Action") which would later become the Partido Liberal Neto, Auténtico y Completo. This organization served as opposition to the Liberal Party, which continued being headed by Antonio R. Barceló.
In 1938, Muñoz Marín would help in the creation of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and sovereignty, through the enhancement of Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth....
(Partido Popular Democratico). The party's ideology promised to help the jíbaros, regardless of political belief, promoting the creation of minimal wages, initiatives to provide food and water, cooperatives to work with the agriculture and the creation of more industrial alternatives. Muñoz Marín concentrated his political campaigning in the rural areas of Puerto Rico. He attacked the then common practice of paying off rural farm workers to influence their vote, insisting that they "lend" their vote for only one election. The party's first rally attracted a solid participation, which was unexpected by the other political parties. During his campaign he met Inés Mendoza
Inés Mendoza
Inés María Mendoza Rivera de Muñoz Marín , was a former First Lady of Puerto Rico, teacher, writer and socialite. She was the second wife of Governor Luis Muñoz Marín.-Biography:...
, who would later become his second wife. Mendoza was a teacher who had been fired after complaining about the United States' prohibition of teaching classes in Spanish. Both discussed the matter and agreed that substituting "one language for another is to diminish that country's capacity to be happy". Mendoza joined the campaign directed towards the jíbaros. Muñoz Marín and Muna Lee had separated, and he asked Mendoza to "stay with him all his life". Due to the party's low income, he would sometimes spend the night at a jíbaro's house.
President of the Senate
In 1940, the Popular Democratic Party won a majority in the Senate of Puerto RicoSenate of Puerto Rico
The Senate of Puerto Rico is the upper house of the Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico, the territorial legislature of Puerto Rico. The Senate is composed of 27 senators, representing eight constituent senatorial districts across the commonwealth, with two senators elected per district; an...
, a result which was attributed to the campaigning he did in the rural areas. Muñoz Marín was then elected the fourth President of the Senate. A month later, his partner Mendoza gave birth to a daughter, who they named Victoria in commemoration of the victory. During his term as President of the Senate, Muñoz was an advocate of the working class of Puerto Rico. Along with Governor Rexford Tugwell
Rexford Tugwell
Rexford Guy Tugwell was an agricultural economist who became part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's first "Brain Trust," a group of Columbia academics who helped develop policy recommendations leading up to Roosevelt's 1932 election as President...
, the last non-Puerto Rican Governor of Puerto Rico appointed by a US President, and the republican-socialist coalition which headed the House of Representatives, he would help advance legislation geared towards agricultural reform, economic recovery and industrialization. This program became known as Operation Bootstrap
Operation Bootstrap
For other uses, see Bootstrapping and Bootstrapping .Operation Bootstrap is the name given to the ambitious projects which industrialized Puerto Rico in the mid-20th century.-History:...
. It was coupled with a program of agrarian reform (land redistribution) which limited the area that could be held by large sugarcane interests. During the first forty years of the 20th century, Puerto Rico's dominant economic product were sugarcane by-products. Operation Bootstrap enticed investors to transfer or create manufacturing plants, offering them local and federal tax concessions, while maintaining access to American markets free of import duties.
The program facilitated a shift from an agricultural to an industrial economy. The 1950s saw the development of labor-intensive light industries, such as textiles; manufacturing later gave way to heavy industry, such as petrochemicals and oil refining, in the 1960s and 1970s. Jíbaros were taught in Spanish and taught to work in jobs being promoted by the government. Muñoz Marín backed legislation to limit the amount of land a company could own. Muñoz Marín's development programs brought some prosperity for an emergent middle class. The industrialization was in part fueled by generous local incentives, and freedom from federal taxation, while providing access to continental US markets without import duties. A rural agricultural society was transformed into an industrial working class. Muñoz Marín also launched Operación Serenidad ("Operation Serenity"), a series of projects geared towards promoting education and appreciation of the arts.
Operation Bootstrap was criticized by civil rights groups and the Catholic Church, who perceived that the government promoted birth control, encouraged surgical sterilization and fostered the migration of Puerto Ricans to the United States.
During the early stages of World War II many thousands of Puerto Ricans were drafted to serve in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, which eased overpopulation in the main island. Muñoz Marín promoted the construction of public housing projects to resolve this problem. During the war he established low-interest scholarships and loans for the residents that weren't drafted. To address health issues, free public clinics were opened throughout Puerto Rico.
In 1944 the Popular Democratic Party repeated the political victory of the previous elections. Muñoz Marín and Lee finally divorced on November 15, 1946. His decision to live with another woman without completing the process attracted criticism from political adversaries. The following day, on November 16, 1946, Muñoz Marín married Inés Mendoza. The couple's second daughter was Viviana Muñoz Mendoza. In 1947, Congress approved legislation allowing Puerto Ricans to elect its own Governor. Muñoz Marín successfully campaigned for the post, thus becoming only the second Puerto Rican and the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
.
Governor
During his terms as governor, a Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico, of which he was a member, was convened in which the Constitution of Puerto Rico
Constitution of Puerto Rico
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is the controlling government document of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is composed of nine articles detailing the structure of the government as well as the function of several of its institutions. The document also contains an extensive...
was drafted. It was approved by the United States Congress in 1952. Not pursuing Puerto Rican Independence angered many followers of Muñoz Marín's Popular Democratic Party, who then formed the Puerto Rican Independence Party
Puerto Rican Independence Party
The Puerto Rican Independence Party is a Puerto Rican political party that campaigns for the independence of Puerto Rico from United States suzerainty....
soon after.
La Fortaleza
La Fortaleza is the current official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. It was built between 1533 and 1540 to defend the harbor of San Juan. The structure is also known as Palacio de Santa Catalina . It is the oldest executive mansion in the New World...
, as part of a revolt which included the Jayuya Uprising
Jayuya Uprising
The Jayuya Uprising, also known as the Jayuya Revolt or El Grito de Jayuya, refers to a nationalist revolt in the town of Jayuya, Puerto Rico which occurred on October 30, 1950...
and the Utuado Uprising
Utuado Uprising
The Utuado Uprising, also known as the Utuado Revolt or El Grito de Utuado, refers to the revolt against the United States government in Puerto Rico which occurred on October 30, 1950 in various localities in Puerto Rico and which in Utuado culminated in the "Utuado massacre".-Events leading to the...
. These acts angered Muñoz Marín, who activated the National Guard and ordered the arrest of Nationalists including Albizu Campos. Subsequently, the Muñoz Marín administration employed the power of law 53, known as Ley de Mordaza (lit. "the gag law") to arrest thousands of Puerto Ricans without due process, including pro-independence supporters that were uninvolved in the uprisings.
The inauguration acts for the establishment of the Estado Libre Associado took place on July 25, 1952. Security for the event was tightened to avoid any incident, with invitations being issued. Muñoz Marín feared that the new status could affect the Puerto Rican culture or "Americanize
Americanization
Americanization is the influence of the United States on the popular culture, technology, business practices, or political techniques of other countries. The term has been used since at least 1907. Inside the U.S...
" the archipelago's language
Puerto Rican Spanish
Puerto Rican Spanish is the Spanish language as characteristically spoken in Puerto Rico and by millions of people of Puerto Rican descent living in the United States and elsewhere...
. Trying to work with this concern, the government began promoting cultural activities, founding the Pablo Casals Festival, Music Conservatory and Puerto Rico's Institute of Culture.
In the 1950s, most jíbaros pursued work in factories instead of agriculture, trying to avoid having to deal with the losses that hurricanes produced. A massive migration from Puerto Rico to New York continued throughout the decade. Muñoz Marín expressed that the he "did not agree with" the "continuing situation", claiming that the "battle for good life, should not have all its emphasis placed on industrialization. Part of it must be placed on agriculture." However, American critics felt that he encouraged the migration to reduce overpopulation. Despite efforts to produce more agricultural work, the migration persisted. Muñoz Marín was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom
Presidential Medal of Freedom
The Presidential Medal of Freedom is an award bestowed by the President of the United States and is—along with thecomparable Congressional Gold Medal bestowed by an act of U.S. Congress—the highest civilian award in the United States...
on December 6, 1962, by United States President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
.
By 1964, Muñoz Marín had been governor for sixteen years. A group of young members of the Popular Democratic Party felt that he should retire. The group completed a proposal suggesting that he resign the position, which also included a limit of two terms for elected officials. The group named themselves Los veinte y dos ("The twenty-twos") and began running a campaign, where they would call civilians asking for support. Victoria, Muñoz Marín's youngest daughter joined the group, which he didn't oppose. The day before the party had an assembly to elect their candidates, he announced his decision of not running for another term. Muñoz Marín recommended his Secretary of State
Secretary of State of Puerto Rico
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico provides for the position of Secretary of State of Puerto Rico who is first in line to exercise the role of acting Governor when the Governor is temporarily unavailable, whether because of being away from Puerto Rico or due to another temporary...
, Roberto Sánchez Vilella
Roberto Sánchez Vilella
Roberto Sánchez Vilella was the second Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1965 to 1969. He was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico...
, for the party's candidacy. The crowd vocally protested his decision, calling for "four more years", to which he responded by saying "I am not your strength... You are your own strength." Sánchez Vilella would go on to be elected Governor.
Retirement, death and legacy
After leaving the post of Governor, Muñoz Marín would continue his public service as a member of the Puerto Rico Senate until 1970. In 1968, Muñoz Marín had a serious dispute with Governor Sánchez Vilella. Muñoz Marín, who was still an influential figure inside the Popular Democratic Party, decided not to support Governor Sánchez's reelection bid for another term in 1968. Governor Sánchez then purchased the franchise of The People's Party (Partido del Pueblo) and decided to run for governor under this new party. Several members of the Popular Democratic Party voted for Sánchez, thus leading to the party's first electoral defeat, and the election of Luis A. FerréLuis A. Ferré
Don Luis Alberto Ferré Aguayo was a Puerto Rican engineer, industrialist, politician, philanthropist, and a patron of the arts. He was the third Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico from 1969 to 1973, and the founding father of the New Progressive Party which advocates for Puerto Rico...
. Muñoz Marín and Sánchez Vilella's friendship was severely strained after this.
After resigning his senate seat in 1970, Muñoz Marín temporally moved to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
, where his daughter, Viviana, had established residence. During this time, he traveled to various destinations in Europe, including France, Spain and Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. He would return to Puerto Rico two years later, where he began writing an autobiography. He also promoted the gubernatorial candidacy of the senate's president Rafael Hernández Colón
Rafael Hernández Colón
Rafael Hernández Colón is a Puerto Rican politician who served as the fourth Governor of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for three non-consecutive terms, from 1973 to 1977 and from 1985 to 1993. An experienced politician, Hernández holds the record for being the youngest Governor of Puerto Rico,...
, the new leader of the Popular Democratic Party.
Late in his life, Muñoz Marín's health weakened. On January 5, 1976, he suffered a severe stroke, which temporarily affected his ability to move, read and speak. On April 30, 1980, Luis Muñoz Marín died at the age of 82, after suffering complications from a severe fever, which left him without physical strength. His funeral became an island-wide event, dwarfing his own father's funeral in 1916, and attended by tens of thousands of followers.
Muñoz Marín's tenure as governor saw immense changes in Puerto Rico. The island was shifting from a mainly rural to an urban society; second-generation Puerto Ricans in the United States now outnumber those from the archipelago. Puerto Rico achieved degrees of autonomy it never had seen; a constitution was written. However, to some, the idealist and nationalist of Muñoz Marín's youth had required a Faustian accommodation with the might and wealth of United States. To some, Muñoz Marín had abandoned his youthful adherence to Puerto Rican Independence and instead cemented Puerto Rico's current commonwealth status. Others see Luis Muñoz Marín as the person who heralded the modern Puerto Rico.
Muñoz Marín was featured twice on the cover of Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
magazine. The articles called him "one of the most influential politicians in recent times, whose works will be remembered for years to come." His daughter, Victoria Muñoz Mendoza, also became involved in the politics of Puerto Rico, and in 1992 ran an unsuccessful campaign for Governor. The main civil airport on the island of Puerto Rico bears his name Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport
Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is a joint civil-military public airport located in Carolina, Puerto Rico, three miles southeast of San Juan. Over 4 million passengers board a plane at the airport per year according to FAA reports . It is owned and managed by the Puerto Rico Ports...
as well as other institutions, particularly those directed towards education.
He has been honored by the United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
with a 5¢ Great Americans series
Great Americans series
The Great Americans series is a set of definitive stamps issued by the United States Postal Service, starting on December 27, 1980 with the 19¢ stamp depicting Sequoyah, and continuing through 2002, the final stamp being the 78¢ Alice Paul self-adhesive stamp. The series, noted for its simplicity...
postage stamp.
Ancestors of Luis Muñoz Marín
Political succession
Noami ColonSee also
- Portrait of Luis Muñoz Marín
- List of Puerto Rican writers
- List of Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican literature
- List of Governors of Puerto Rico
- Puerto Rican PoliticsPolitics of Puerto RicoThe politics of Puerto Rico take place in the framework of a republican democratic form of government that is under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the United States of America as an organized unincorporated territory....