WHEREAS, Christopher Columbus arrived in Puerto Rico on November 19, 1493; and
WHEREAS, Puerto Rico was colonized by Juan Ponce De Leon and his crew from Spain in 1508; and
WHEREAS, Puerto Rico became a possession of the United States of America as a result of the Spanish American War in 1898; and
WHEREAS, Puerto Ricans became citizens of the United States of America in 1917; and
WHEREAS, Puerto Rico has participated in the defense of the United States in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Bosnia, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Gulf War, and Iraq; and
WHEREAS, Puerto Rico became the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1952; and
WHEREAS, The residents of the island of Puerto Rico have contributed much to the rich history of the United States;
NOW, THEREFORE, we, the Select Board of Amherst, officially proclaim November 20, 2015 as Puerto Rican Day.
Voted the sixteenth day of November, 2015
Amherst Select Board