Mariana Bracetti
Encyclopedia
Mariana Bracetti was a patriot
and leader
of the Puerto Rico independence movement in the 1860s. She is attributed with having knitted
the flag
that was intended to be used as the national emblem of Puerto Rico
in its attempt to overthrow the Spanish government on the island
, and to establish the island as a sovereign
republic
. The attempted overthrow was the Grito de Lares
, and Bracetti's creation became known as "The Flag of Lares." The flag's design was later adopted as the official flag of the municipality
of Lares, Puerto Rico
.
, met and developed a romantic relationship with Miguel Rojas, a rich businessman visiting Añasco. Rojas and his brother Manuel owned a coffee plantation called "El Triunfo." Miguel and Manuel Rojas were admirers of Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances
and were influenced by his ideals of independence for Puerto Rico. Bracetti married Rojas with whom she had children.
." The Rojas' admiration for Betances led them to join him in the conspiracy to rebel against, and gain independence from, Spain.
The Rojas brothers became the independence leaders in Lares and their code name was Centro Bravo (Bravo Center). Manuel Rojas, Bracetti's brother-in-law, was named Commander of the Liberation Army. Mathias Brugman
was the independence leader in Mayagüez
and his group went by the code name of Capá Prieto (Dark Cape).
Bracetti's nickname was Brazo de Oro (Golden Arm) and she was appointed the leader of the "Lares's Revolutionary Council." Betances suggested that Bracetti knit the first flag (modeled on the Dominican republic's flag) of the future "Republic of Puerto Rico." She designed and knitted the flag taking into consideration Betances' suggestions. The flag was divided in the middle by a white Latin cross, the two lower corners were red and the two upper corners were blue. A white star was placed in the upper left blue corner. According to Puerto Rican poet Luis Llorens Torres
the white cross on it stand for the yearning for homeland redemption; the red squares, the blood poured by the heroes of the rebellion and the white star in the blue solitude square, stands for liberty and freedom.
as its first president and celebrated a speedy Mass.
The rebel forces then departed to take over the next town, San Sebastián del Pepino
. The Spanish militia, however, surprised the group with strong resistance, causing great confusion among the armed rebels who, led by Manuel Rojas, retreated back to Lares. Upon an order from the governor, Julián Pavía, the Spanish militia soon rounded up the rebels. All of the survivors, including Bracetti, were imprisoned in Arecibo
and the insurrection was quickly brought to an end. The original Lares flag was taken by a Spanish army officer as a war prize and many years later transferred to the Puerto Rican people. It is now exhibited in the University of Puerto Rico's Museum. Eighty of the prisoners died in jail, Bracetti however, lived and was released on January 20, 1869, when the new Spanish Republican government granted them general amnesty. Mariana Bracetti died in the City of Añasco, Puerto Rico in 1903 and was buried in the Plaza of Añasco. There is a monument honoring her, on the spot where she is buried.
in El Grito de Lares, and who was the Vice-President of Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee, a Chapter of the Cuban Revolutionary Party in New York City, adopted Bracetti's "Flag of Lares" as the flag which represented Puerto Rico. It became their standard until 1892 when the current design, modeled after the Cuban flag, was unveiled and adopted by the committee.
Bracetti was the principal subject of two books: El Grito de Lares by Luis Llorens Torres
, and Brazo de Oro by Cesáreo Rosa-Nieves. Her memory has been honored in Puerto Rico were there are schools, streets and avenues named after her. In Lares there is a Mariana Bracetti Museum and there is a Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School in Philadelphia. The Mariana Bracetti Plaza in New York City was also named after her.
Patriotism
Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy...
and leader
Leader
A leader is one who influences or leads others.Leader may also refer to:- Newspapers :* Leading article, a piece of writing intended to promote an opinion, also called an editorial* The Leader , published 1909–1967...
of the Puerto Rico independence movement in the 1860s. She is attributed with having knitted
Knitting
Knitting is a method by which thread or yarn may be turned into cloth or other fine crafts. Knitted fabric consists of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. As each row progresses, a new loop is pulled through an existing loop. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can...
the flag
Flag of Puerto Rico
The flags of Puerto Rico represent and symbolize the island and people of Puerto Rico. The most commonly used flags of Puerto Rico are the current flag, which represents the people of the commonwealth of Puerto Rico; municipal flags, which represent the different regions of the island; political...
that was intended to be used as the national emblem of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
in its attempt to overthrow the Spanish government on the island
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
, and to establish the island as a sovereign
Sovereign
A sovereign is the supreme lawmaking authority within its jurisdiction.Sovereign may also refer to:*Monarch, the sovereign of a monarchy*Sovereign Bank, banking institution in the United States*Sovereign...
republic
Republic
A republic is a form of government in which the people, or some significant portion of them, have supreme control over the government and where offices of state are elected or chosen by elected people. In modern times, a common simplified definition of a republic is a government where the head of...
. The attempted overthrow was the Grito de Lares
Grito de Lares
El Grito de Lares —also referred as the Lares uprising, the Lares revolt, Lares rebellion or even Lares Revolution—was the first major revolt against Spanish rule and call for independence in Puerto Rico...
, and Bracetti's creation became known as "The Flag of Lares." The flag's design was later adopted as the official flag of the municipality
Municipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
of Lares, Puerto Rico
Lares, Puerto Rico
Lares is a small mountain municipality of Puerto Rico's central-western area located north of Maricao and Yauco; south of Camuy, east of San Sebastián and Las Marias; and west of Hatillo, Utuado and Adjuntas. Lares is spread over 10 wards and Lares Pueblo...
.
Early years
Bracetti, born in the city of Añasco, Puerto RicoAñasco, Puerto Rico
Añasco , named after one of its settlers, Don Luis de Añasco, is a municipality of Puerto Rico located on the west coast of the island bordering the Mona Passage to the west, north of Mayagüez, and Las Marias; south of Rincón, Aguada, and Moca and west of San Sebastián and Las Marias...
, met and developed a romantic relationship with Miguel Rojas, a rich businessman visiting Añasco. Rojas and his brother Manuel owned a coffee plantation called "El Triunfo." Miguel and Manuel Rojas were admirers of Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances
Ramón Emeterio Betances
Ramón Emeterio Betances y Alacán was a Puerto Rican nationalist. He was the primary instigator of the Grito de Lares revolution, and as such, is considered to be the father of the Puerto Rican independence movement...
and were influenced by his ideals of independence for Puerto Rico. Bracetti married Rojas with whom she had children.
The first flag of Puerto Rico
Bracetti then moved to the hacienda "El Triunfo," which was to become the clandestine nucleus of the revolution that would be known as El "Grito de LaresGrito de Lares
El Grito de Lares —also referred as the Lares uprising, the Lares revolt, Lares rebellion or even Lares Revolution—was the first major revolt against Spanish rule and call for independence in Puerto Rico...
." The Rojas' admiration for Betances led them to join him in the conspiracy to rebel against, and gain independence from, Spain.
 |
| |
The Rojas brothers became the independence leaders in Lares and their code name was Centro Bravo (Bravo Center). Manuel Rojas, Bracetti's brother-in-law, was named Commander of the Liberation Army. Mathias Brugman
Mathias Brugman
Mathias Brugman , a.k.a. Mathias Bruckman, was a leader in Puerto Rico's independence revolution against Spain known as El Grito de Lares .-Early years:...
was the independence leader in Mayagüez
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...
and his group went by the code name of Capá Prieto (Dark Cape).
Bracetti's nickname was Brazo de Oro (Golden Arm) and she was appointed the leader of the "Lares's Revolutionary Council." Betances suggested that Bracetti knit the first flag (modeled on the Dominican republic's flag) of the future "Republic of Puerto Rico." She designed and knitted the flag taking into consideration Betances' suggestions. The flag was divided in the middle by a white Latin cross, the two lower corners were red and the two upper corners were blue. A white star was placed in the upper left blue corner. According to Puerto Rican poet Luis Llorens Torres
Luis Lloréns Torres
Luis Llorens Torres , was a Puerto Rican poet, playwright, and politician. He was an advocate for the independence of Puerto Rico.-Early years:...
the white cross on it stand for the yearning for homeland redemption; the red squares, the blood poured by the heroes of the rebellion and the white star in the blue solitude square, stands for liberty and freedom.
El Grito de Lares
On the morning of September 23, 1868, an Army of about 800 men met in the El Triunfo plantation and Manuel Rojas proceeded to take the town of Lares, which initiated the revolution known as El Grito de Lares. Once the town was taken, Bracetti's flag was placed on the High Altar of the Parroquial Church. The revolutionists declared Puerto Rico a Republic, sworn in Francisco Ramírez MedinaFrancisco Ramírez Medina
Francisco Ramírez Medina , was one of the leaders of "El Grito de Lares", the first major revolt against Spanish rule and call for independence in Puerto Rico in 1868...
as its first president and celebrated a speedy Mass.
The rebel forces then departed to take over the next town, San Sebastián del Pepino
San Sebastián, Puerto Rico
San Sebastián is a municipality of Puerto Rico located northwest of the island south of Isabela and Quebradillas; north of Las Marías; east of Moca and Añasco; and west of Lares. San Sebastián is spread over twenty-four wards and San Sebastián Pueblo...
. The Spanish militia, however, surprised the group with strong resistance, causing great confusion among the armed rebels who, led by Manuel Rojas, retreated back to Lares. Upon an order from the governor, Julián Pavía, the Spanish militia soon rounded up the rebels. All of the survivors, including Bracetti, were imprisoned in Arecibo
Arecibo
Arecibo may refer to:*Arecibo, Puerto Rico, a municipality located by the Atlantic Ocean*Arecibo Observatory, a very sensitive radio telescope located approximately south-southwest from the city of Arecibo...
and the insurrection was quickly brought to an end. The original Lares flag was taken by a Spanish army officer as a war prize and many years later transferred to the Puerto Rican people. It is now exhibited in the University of Puerto Rico's Museum. Eighty of the prisoners died in jail, Bracetti however, lived and was released on January 20, 1869, when the new Spanish Republican government granted them general amnesty. Mariana Bracetti died in the City of Añasco, Puerto Rico in 1903 and was buried in the Plaza of Añasco. There is a monument honoring her, on the spot where she is buried.
Legacy
Juan de Mata Terreforte, a revolutionist who fought alongside Manuel RojasManuel Rojas
Commander Manuel Rojas , Commander of the Puerto Rican Liberation Army, was one of the main leaders of the Grito de Lares uprising against Spanish rule in Puerto Rico.-Early years:...
in El Grito de Lares, and who was the Vice-President of Puerto Rican Revolutionary Committee, a Chapter of the Cuban Revolutionary Party in New York City, adopted Bracetti's "Flag of Lares" as the flag which represented Puerto Rico. It became their standard until 1892 when the current design, modeled after the Cuban flag, was unveiled and adopted by the committee.
Bracetti was the principal subject of two books: El Grito de Lares by Luis Llorens Torres
Luis Lloréns Torres
Luis Llorens Torres , was a Puerto Rican poet, playwright, and politician. He was an advocate for the independence of Puerto Rico.-Early years:...
, and Brazo de Oro by Cesáreo Rosa-Nieves. Her memory has been honored in Puerto Rico were there are schools, streets and avenues named after her. In Lares there is a Mariana Bracetti Museum and there is a Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School in Philadelphia. The Mariana Bracetti Plaza in New York City was also named after her.
Further reading
- Puerto Rican Women/Mujeres Puertorriqueñas (Paperback). By Carmen D. Votaw (author), Michelle Sague (editor), and Pat Barton (illustrator); ISBN 0965064905
See also
- María de las Mercedes BarbudoMaría de las Mercedes BarbudoMaría de las Mercedes Barbudo was a political activist who was the first Puerto Rican female "Independentista", meaning that she was the first Puerto Rican woman to become an avid advocate of Puerto Rican Independence or "Freedom Fighter"...
- Lola Rodríguez de TióLola Rodríguez de TioLola Rodríguez de TióThis name uses Spanish marriage naming customs; the first is the maiden family name " Rodríguez" and the second or matrimonial family name is "Tió"., , was the first Puerto Rican born poetess to establish herself a reputation as a great poet throughout all of Latin America...
- Blanca CanalesBlanca CanalesBlanca Canales Torresola was a Puerto Rican nationalist leader. Canales may possibly have been the first woman to have led a revolt against the United States when she led the The Jayuya Uprising.-Early years:...
- Lolita LebronLolita LebrónDolores "Lolita" Lebrón Sotomayor was a Puerto Rican nationalist who wasconvicted of attempted murder and other crimes after leading an assault on the United States House of Representatives in 1954,...
- Intentona de YaucoIntentona de YaucoThe Intentona de Yauco a.k.a. the "Attempted Coup of Yauco" of 1897, was the second and last major revolt against Spanish colonial rule in Puerto Rico, staged by Puerto Rico's pro-independence movement....
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- Corsican immigration to Puerto RicoCorsican immigration to Puerto RicoCorsican immigration to Puerto Rico came about as a result of various economic and political changes in the mid-19th century Europe; among those factors were the social-economic changes which came about in Europe as a result of the Second Industrial Revolution, political discontent and widespread...