Jonah Patel
Puerto Rico Constitution Day, also known as Constitution Day of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, is celebrated annually on July 25. The holiday commemorates the signing of the first Puerto Rican Constitution into law by Governor Luis Muñoz Marín on July 25, 1952. The Constitution of Puerto Rico is the primary organizing law for the unincorporated U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, outlining the duties, powers, structures, and functions of its government. It was drafted by the Constitutional Assembly between 1951 and 1952 and approved by the people of Puerto Rico in a referendum on March 3, 1952, with nearly 82% voter approval. The Constitution was then ratified and proclaimed into effect by Governor Marín on July 25, 1952, marking a significant step towards self-governance for the territory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Constitution | March 3, 1952 |
| Date of Ratification | July 25, 1952 |
| Date of Proclamation | July 25, 1952 |
| Date of Constitution Day | July 25 |
| Status of Puerto Rico | unincorporated U.S. territory |
| Referendum Voter Turnout | 76.5% |
| Referendum Voter Approval | 82% |
| Constitutional Amendments | 1960, 1961, 1964, 1970, 1994, 2012 |
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What You'll Learn
Puerto Rico Constitution Day
The history of Puerto Rico is marked by a long period of colonisation. The island was ruled by the Spanish for the first three hundred years after its colonisation in the 16th century, which was followed by a period of rule by the United States. In 1868, the people of Puerto Rico began a revolution against Spanish rule, but it was quickly struck down. The Spanish government granted the Puerto Ricans more independence to soothe tensions, but this was short-lived as the US declared war on Spain soon after. On July 25, 1898, US forces invaded and occupied the island, and Puerto Rico officially became a US colony after the American-Spanish War ended.
In the early 20th century, the Puerto Rican call for autonomy grew louder, and the Foraker Act of 1900 established a civilian government, but it did not grant full rights to the islanders. In 1917, the Jones-Shafroth Act gave US citizenship to most Puerto Ricans while still allowing Congress and the US President to veto Puerto Rican laws. It was not until 1950 that the United States initiated discussions for Puerto Rico to draft its own constitution, with the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act. The Constitutional Assembly met for several months between 1951 and 1952 to draft the document, and the proposed constitution was overwhelmingly approved by nearly 82% of voters in a referendum on March 3, 1952. The US Congress and the President approved it, with some conditions, which were accepted by the Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico on July 10, 1952. These conditions were later ratified in a referendum held in November 1952.
The Constitution of Puerto Rico is the primary organising law for the unincorporated US territory of Puerto Rico. It describes the duties, powers, structures, and functions of the government of Puerto Rico in nine articles. The constitution also includes a Bill of Rights, patterned on the US Constitution's Bill of Rights, which guarantees certain rights and freedoms for the people of Puerto Rico.
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The constitution's approval
The Constitution of Puerto Rico was approved on July 3, 1952, when it was signed into law by Governor Luis Muñoz Marín. This day, July 25, is celebrated as Constitution Day, or Puerto Rico Constitution Day, a public holiday in Puerto Rico.
The road to the approval of the Constitution began in 1950, when the United States government authorized Puerto Rico to draft its own constitution with the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act. The Constitutional Assembly met for several months between 1951 and 1952, during which the document was written. The Assembly held 62 sessions, concluding on February 4, 1952, and approved the constitution two days before this.
The proposed constitution was then approved by nearly 82% of voters in a referendum on March 3, 1952. The referendum was preceded by a campaign in which four political parties participated. Two endorsed the act of Congress, one opposed it, and one was divided in its position. On June 4, 1951, 65.08% of qualified voters participated in the referendum, with 76.5% of those voting in approval.
The United States Congress and the President also approved the constitution, but required that Article II (the Bill of Rights) be stricken and that language be added to Section 5 of Article II allowing non-governmental schools. The Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico reconvened on July 10, 1952, and approved a resolution accepting these conditions. The Constitution was then proclaimed into effect by Governor Marín on July 25, 1952.
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Puerto Rico's statehood
The Constitution of Puerto Rico, also known as the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, was ratified by the electorate of the archipelago and island in a referendum on March 3, 1952, and proclaimed into effect by Governor Luis Muñoz Marín on July 25, 1952—a day celebrated as Constitution Day. The constitution outlines the duties, powers, structures, and functions of the government of Puerto Rico in nine articles.
Puerto Rico has been a US colony since the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898. In 1950, the United States initiated discussions for Puerto Rico to draft its constitution, with the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act of 1950, but only as long as its territorial status remained unchanged. The Constitutional Assembly met for several months between 1951 and 1952 to write the document. The proposed constitution was approved by nearly 82% of voters in a referendum on March 3, 1952. The US Congress and the President approved it, with some conditions, which were accepted by the Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico on July 10, 1952, and later ratified in a referendum in November 1952.
The constitution establishes a republican form of government and includes a Bill of Rights. It outlines the powers and duties of the Governor of Puerto Rico, who is appointed by the President of the United States, and the Legislative Assembly. The people of Puerto Rico became US citizens, with the protection of a Bill of Rights patterned on the US Constitution. The legislature can override a governor's veto, but if the governor does not approve a bill, it does not become law unless it receives the President's approval.
The status of Puerto Rico as a territory of the United States has been a subject of debate. While Puerto Rico has had a degree of autonomy, the US Congress is recognised as the sovereign power over the island. The Supreme Court of the United States has interpreted the Territorial Clause of the US Constitution as controlling over Puerto Rico, and the ruling in Puerto Rico v. Sanchez Valle affirmed this interpretation. However, there have been unsuccessful proposals to amend the Puerto Rican constitution in 1994 and 2012, and voters have approved amendments in referendums held in 1960, 1961, 1964, and 1970.
Constitution Day in Puerto Rico commemorates the island's journey towards statehood and autonomy, and the ongoing aspirations of its people.
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The US-Puerto Rico relationship
The relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico has been a complex and evolving one, with Puerto Rico's political status being a key issue. The US-Puerto Rico relationship has been characterised by Puerto Rico's quest for autonomy and self-governance, while the United States has sought to maintain control over the territory.
Puerto Rico has a long history of colonisation, having been ruled by Spain for three hundred years before becoming a US colony in the late 19th century. The people of Puerto Rico have struggled for independence and self-determination, with a revolution against Spanish rule taking place in 1868. While the Spanish-American War led to US occupation in 1898, and Puerto Rico officially became a US colony in 1917, the Jones-Shafroth Act granted US citizenship to most Puerto Ricans. However, Congress and the US President retained a veto over Puerto Rican laws, limiting the island's autonomy.
In the mid-20th century, the push for self-governance gained momentum, and in 1950, the United States authorised Puerto Rico to draft its constitution through the Puerto Rico Federal Relations Act. The Constitutional Assembly worked on the document from 1951 to 1952, and the proposed constitution was overwhelmingly approved by voters in a referendum on March 3, 1952. The US Congress and President approved it, with some amendments, and it was ratified and proclaimed into effect on July 25, 1952, becoming Constitution Day.
However, the relationship between the two entities remained complex. While Puerto Rico gained some autonomy, it was still subject to the sovereignty of the United States Congress, as affirmed by Supreme Court rulings. The Territorial Clause of the US Constitution was interpreted as controlling over Puerto Rico, and the island's political status remained a subject of debate. Proposed constitutional amendments in 1994 and 2012 were unsuccessful, and Puerto Rico's quest for statehood or independence has not been realised.
Despite this complex history, the people of Puerto Rico have strong ties to the United States, with US citizenship and a desire to enrich their democratic heritage within the framework of the US Federal Constitution. The relationship is also shaped by economic factors, with Puerto Rico being a strategic location for the US to further its economic interests in the Caribbean.
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Amendments to the constitution
The Constitution of Puerto Rico, also known as the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, was approved by the people of Puerto Rico in a referendum held on March 3, 1952. It was proclaimed into effect by Governor Luis Muñoz Marín on July 25, 1952, and is celebrated annually as Constitution Day.
The Constitution outlines the duties, powers, structures, and functions of the government of Puerto Rico. It establishes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, with its political power emanating from the people and to be exercised within the terms of the compact agreed upon between the people of Puerto Rico and the United States of America.
The Constitution of Puerto Rico has undergone several amendments since its ratification. The process of amending the Constitution involves proposals by the Legislative Assembly, followed by a referendum vote, and the amendments become effective if ratified by a majority of electors. The Congress also placed the condition that amendments shall be consistent with the act approving the constitution, the applicable provisions of the Federal Constitution, the Puerto Rican Federal Relations Act, and the act of Congress authorizing the drafting and adoption of the Constitution.
In 1952, a resolution amended Section 5 of Article II, adding a declaration regarding compulsory attendance at elementary public schools and the inclusion of non-governmental schools. This was ratified in a referendum in November 1952.
In 1960, 1961, 1964, and 1970, voters approved amendments to the Constitution through various referendums. These amendments further defined the relationship between Puerto Rico and the Federal Government of the United States, with the Supreme Court rulings playing a significant role in interpreting the Territorial Clause and affirming Puerto Rico's sovereignty under the United States Congress, at least in criminal offense cases.
In 1994 and 2012, there were unsuccessful attempts to propose constitutional amendments, and in 2021, discussions were initiated by the PPD-led government to amend the Constitution, including proposals to increase the governor's salary and reduce the number of representatives.
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Frequently asked questions
25th July.
The Constitution of Puerto Rico was ratified by the electorate of the archipelago and island in a referendum on 3rd March 1952.
The Constitution of Puerto Rico was proclaimed into effect by Governor Luis Muñoz Marín on 25th July 1952.
Prior to 1952, 25th July was celebrated as Occupation Day, commemorating the arrival of US military forces in 1898.
The Constitution of Puerto Rico is the primary organising law for the unincorporated US territory of Puerto Rico, describing the duties, powers, structures and functions of the government of Puerto Rico in nine articles.
