People, Locations, Episodes

Sun, 03.23.1873

Puerto Rico Abolishes Slavery

Slave Bond (copy)

On this date, in 1873, Puerto Rico abolished slavery.

Leaders of the Puerto Rican abolitionist movement, including José Julian Acosta, Francisco Mariano Quicones, Julio L. de Vizcarrondo, Ramón Emeterio Betances, and Segundo Ruiz Belvis, waged a long struggle to end slavery on the island.

The Spanish National Assembly was crucial in abolishing slavery in Puerto Rico. The owners were compensated with 35 million pesetas per slave, and slaves were required to continue working for three more years.

New Poem Each Day

Poetry Corner

Black is what the prisons are, The stagnant vortex of the hours Swept into totality, Creeping in the perjured heart, Bitter in the vulgar rhyme, Bitter on the walls; Black is where the devils... THE AFRICAN AFFAIR by Bruce M. Wright.
Read More