Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ratified

The United States government granted Puerto Rico the right to its own constitution in 1950, and in 1952 the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico was ratified by the Congress of the United States and by referendum of the people of Puerto Rico. While this move was welcomed by many, Puerto Rican nationalists reacted by rioting and attempting to assassinate President Truman in New York City [Mathews, Wagenheim & Wagenheim 2021]. The Preamble, establishes the importance of democracy, Puerto Rico’s ties to the US, and the coexistence of Spanish and American culture on the island. 

This Constitution established Puerto Rico as a commonwealth with a government made up of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. The Constitution also contains a Bill of Rights, which includes the right to vote, provisions against discrimination, separation of church and state, employee rights, and rights similar to the US First Amendment. July 25, the day the constitution came into effect, is now Constitution Day in Puerto Rico [Mathews, Wagenheim & Wagenheim 2021].