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On May 1, 2003 citizens in Vieques celebrated the first day in
over 60 years without a US Navy bombing run.
May 17, 1932 the Congress of United States approved a law to
change back the name of the island Porto Rico, to its original
name, Puerto Rico.
On May 1, 1900 the US government approved the Foraker Law which
changed the military government to a civil government. Under
this new government the governor, his cabinet and Higher House
of Delegates were appointed by the President and approved by the
American legislature. A 35 member Local House of Delegates was
elected by popular vote. Puerto Ricans voted for a Resident
Commissioner who represented Puerto Rico in the US House of
Representatives but had no vote. Puerto Ricans were distressed
with this new government. After having been granted autonomy by
Spain, Puerto Rico had now taken a step back to colonialism. The
discontent was such that in 1909 the House of Delegates refused
to pass any bills.
May 2, 1787 - Possibly the strongest earthquake that has
affected Puerto Rico since the beginning of colonization
occurred on May 2, 1787. This was felt strongly throughout the
Island and may have been as large as magnitude 8.0 on the
Richter Scale. Its epicenter was possibly to the north, in the
Puerto Rico Trench. The quake was felt very strongly all across
the Island. It demolished the Arecibo church along with the El
Rosario and La Concepcion monasteries and damaged the churches
at Bayamon, Toa Baja and Mayaguez. It also caused considerable
damage to the castles of San Felipe del Morro and San Cristobal,
breaking cisterns, walls and guard houses. (source: U.S.
Geological Survey Earthquake Hazards Program)
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