April 13th is Borinqueneers Day, a special day to offer the Borinqueneers, the 65th Infantry Regiment of the U.S. Army. This regiment grew out of the first military unit in Puerto Rico after Spain ceded the Island to the United States. Established in 1899, this regiment joined the Regular Army in 1908. They defended the Panama Canal during World War I, fought bravely in World War II, and distinguished themselves in the Korean War.
How can you celebrate Borinqueneers Day?
1. Spread the word
The Borinqueneers have an inspiring story to tell, and many people don’t know anything about it. This regiment faced discrimination in the segregated U.S. Army and was the last segregated Army regiment to be honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. Many Americans who think with pride of the Navajo Codetalkers and the Tuskegee Airmen have never heard of the Borinqueneers.
Share their story in the break room, the classroom, the lunchroom, or on the bus, at the brewery, or in the gym. You can tell the basic story in a couple of minutes, and it will be more meaningful than your thoughts on the weather.
2. Share on social media
You can use these graphics on your social media in honor of this day. Share the link to this page, too, so they can come and learn more.
3. Tell the kids
Check your local library — there are picture books about the Borinqueneers. Read them to your children and their friends or volunteer to read them in your kids’ classrooms at school.
4. Share your culture
America has many military heroes, but the Borinqueneers represent Puerto Rico. They faced hardships and discrimination because they were Puerto Rican, and they also enrich the full story of 250 years of United States history for the same reason. To this day, there are many Americans who don’t know basic facts about Puerto Rico:
- Puerto Rico is a territory belonging to the United States.
- Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens by birthright.
- The President of the United States is also the President of Puerto Rico.
- Puerto Rico is home to the oldest city in what is now the U.S.
- Puerto Rico voters can’t vote for their president. Puerto Rican service members can’t vote for their Commander in Chief.
- Puerto Rico has no voting members in Congress and no senators.
- Puerto Rico has voted for statehood four times.
Americans enjoy Puerto Rican food, music, art, and sports. Celebrate these things with your friends and coworkers and take the opportunity to bring them up to speed on Puerto Rico.
4. Contact your congressman
In honor of the Borinqueneers, reach out to your congressional reps and senators and make sure that they know these basic truths about Puerto Rico, too. The greatest honor we could show to the Borinqueneers and their descendants is to work toward equality and justice for Puerto Rico through statehood.
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