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The flag was
first used on December 22, 1895. A group of 59 Puerto Ricans
led by Dr. Julio J. Henna, gather at "Chimney Corner
Hall" in Manhattan, New York City and organizes a
political group, attached to the Cuban Revolutionary Party,
which advocated independence for Puerto Rico and Cuba from
Spanish rule. As part of their activities, a flag was
created to rally support for independence from Spain. The
flag was soon adopted as a national symbol. In 1898, the
flag became the mark of resistance to the US invasion; and
in the 1930s it was adopted by the Nationalist Party.
There are different hypothesis on the
identity of the designer of the flag. Torreforte said that
the flag designer was Francisco Gonzalo (Pachín) Marín.
Antonio Vélez Alvarado claimed he was himself the designer
of the flag. Roberto H. Todd (A leader in the Puerto Rican
Section of the Cuban Revolutionary Party) said that the flag
was designed by Manuel Besosa, member of the board of the
Puerto Rican Section. The first flag was sewn by Maria
Manuela (Mima) Besosa according to Roberto H. Todd, or by
Micaela Dalmau, according to Antonio Vélez Alvarado. The
flag of Puerto Rico was used for the first time during the
Yauco Attempt ("Intentona de Yauco") on 24 March
1897. In 1932, the Nationalist Party used it as its emblem
during the elections. Blanca Canales hoisted the flag in
Jayuya in 1950 when proclaiming the Republic of Puerto Rico.
Lolita Lebrón used again the flag during the shoot-up in
the United States Congress in 1954. The legislative chambers
attempted to officialize the flag in 1916, 1922, 1927 and
1932, to no avail.
Ivan Sache, 6 January 2007. When
Puerto Rico became a Commonwealth in July 25, 1952 it was
officially adopted as the national flag.
The Puerto
Rican flag consists of 5 alternate red and white stripes. On
the left of the flag is a single white five-pointed star
resting in a blue triangle. The symbolism is explained thus.
The white star stands for the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
while the three sides of the equilateral triangle together
represent the three branches of the Republican government
(executive, legislative and judicial branches). The three
red strips symbolize the blood that feeds those parts of the
government. The two white stripes symbolizing the rights of
man and the freedom of the individual, are a perpetual
reminder of the need for vigilance of a democratic
government is to be preserved.
The flag is not flown except
in company of the U.S. flag. Officially Adopted in
July 25, 1952.
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