Spanish colonization of Puerto Rico (1508–1535)

1. Columbus claims Borikén for Spain

   Nov 19, 1493Labels: Christopher Columbus, Borik n

   • Britannica
   • NPS SAJU

2. Ponce de León begins Spanish settlement

   Jun 15, 1508Labels: Juan Ponce, Spanish settlement

   • Britannica
   • Ponce de Le

3. Caparra founded near San Juan Bay

   Aug 1, 1508Labels: Caparra, San Juan

   • Britannica
   • San Juan city
   • NPS SAJU

4. Caparra’s population shifts to the harbor islet

   Jan 1, 1509Labels: Harbor islet, San Juan

   • San Juan city
   • Britannica

5. Ponce de León confirmed as governor

   Aug 1, 1509Labels: Juan Ponce, Spanish governor

   • Ponce de Le
   • Britannica

6. Taíno resistance erupts into rebellion

   Jan 1, 1511Labels: Ag eyban, Ta no

   • Britannica
   • MappingRebellions

7. San Germán founded as western outpost

   Jan 1, 1511Labels: San Germ, Western outpost

   • Britannica
   • Britannica PR

8. First Catholic diocese established in Puerto Rico

   Aug 8, 1511Labels: Diocese of, Pope Julius

   • San Juan city
   • Catholic Hierarchy

9. Bishop Alonso Manso consecrated

   Mar 3, 1512Labels: Alonso Manso, Catholic bishop

   • Catholic Hierarchy
   • Alonso Manso

10. Laws of Burgos shape labor and conquest

    Dec 27, 1512Labels: Laws of, Spanish law

    • Britannica
    • Laws of Burgos

11. Requerimiento provides legal script for conquest

    Jan 1, 1513Labels: Requerimiento, Spanish proclamation

    • LOC record
    • Requerimiento

12. San Juan formally named and organized

    Jan 1, 1521Labels: San Juan, Ciudad de

    • San Juan city
    • Britannica

13. French corsairs sack San Germán

    Jan 1, 1528Labels: French corsairs, San Germ

    • Britannica
    • Britannica PR

14. Construction begins on La Fortaleza

    Jan 1, 1533Labels: La Fortaleza, San Juan

    • Smithsonian
    • La Fortaleza

15. La Fortaleza completed as fortified seat of government

    Jan 1, 1540Labels: La Fortaleza, Fortified government

    • Smithsonian
    • La Fortaleza