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Quizzes > History > Regional History

Test Your Puerto Rico History Knowledge

Think you can ace these Puerto Rico trivia questions?

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art Puerto Rico history quiz design featuring island map, fort, cultural icons on dark blue background

Calling all history buffs, culture enthusiasts, and trivia lovers! If you've ever wondered about questions about Puerto Rico - from the arrival of explorers to the rise of salsa - this quiz is your playground. Our Puerto Rico history quiz will challenge you on legendary events, landmark sites, and vibrant traditions while Puerto Rico trivia questions will tease your memory with unexpected facts. Plus, test your speed in a quick Puerto Rico facts quiz! Ready for a deeper dive? Explore our puerto rico trivia or test your regional expertise in a breezy caribbean trivia round. Gear up, click start, and see how many island insights you can unlock - let's get quizzing!

What is the capital city of Puerto Rico?
Ponce
San Juan
Mayagez
Caguas
San Juan was founded in 1521 and is the political and cultural center of Puerto Rico. It is the oldest settlement under U.S. jurisdiction. The citys Old San Juan district is known for its colonial architecture and fortifications. Britannica
In which year did Puerto Rico become a territory of the United States?
1897
1898
1900
1917
Puerto Rico was ceded by Spain to the United States under the Treaty of Paris at the conclusion of the Spanish-American War in 1898. This transfer marked the beginning of U.S. governance on the island. Britannica
What are the official languages of Puerto Rico?
Portuguese and English
Spanish only
Spanish and English
English only
The Constitution of Puerto Rico designates both Spanish and English as official languages. Spanish is the primary language spoken by the majority of residents. English is widely used in government and business. Wikipedia
El Yunque is best known as Puerto Rico's what?
Urban park
Museum
Volcano
National forest
El Yunque National Forest is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. It covers about 28,000 acres and is renowned for its biodiversity. The forest receives high rainfall and is home to many endemic species. U.S. Forest Service
Which dish is considered a traditional Puerto Rican specialty?
Mofongo
Hamburger
Tacos
Feijoada
Mofongo is made from fried green plantains mashed with garlic, olive oil, and pork cracklings. It is a staple of Puerto Rican cuisine often served with meat or seafood. Its origins date back to West African culinary traditions. Wikipedia
Which internationally renowned pop singer was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico?
Enrique Iglesias
Marc Anthony
Ricky Martin
Shakira
Ricky Martin was born in San Juan in 1971 and gained fame as a member of Menudo before launching a solo career. He is known for hits like "Livin la Vida Loca." Martin has sold over 70 million records worldwide. Wikipedia
The cuatro is a traditional Puerto Rican what?
Type of hat
Cooking utensil
Dance
Musical instrument
The cuatro is a stringed instrument similar to a small guitar or ukulele, featuring ten strings in five courses. It is central to Puerto Rican folk music known as jbaro. The instruments name means four in Spanish, referring to earlier versions with four strings. Wikipedia
Puerto Rico is often referred to by what nickname?
The Emerald Isle
The Island of Enchantment
The Golden Isles
The Sunshine State
Puerto Rico is called La Isla del Encanto, which translates to "The Island of Enchantment," because of its natural beauty and cultural heritage. The nickname appears on tourism materials and license plates. It reflects the islands lush landscapes and vibrant traditions. Discover Puerto Rico
Which Tano cacique famously resisted Spanish colonization in Puerto Rico?
Ageyban II
Boquern
Yaya
Caguax
Ageyban II, known as "the Brave," led a major uprising against the Spanish in 1511. He rallied several Tano villages but was ultimately defeated by Spanish forces. His resistance remains a key symbol of indigenous opposition. Wikipedia
The Foraker Act of 1900 established what for Puerto Rico?
Free trade zone
Civil government under US rule
Puerto Rican independence
Statehood rights
The Foraker Act created a civilian government in Puerto Rico, replacing military rule after the Spanish-American War. It provided for a governor and executive council appointed by the U.S. president. It also established a partially elected House of Representatives. Library of Congress
The coqu, a cultural symbol of Puerto Rico, is a type of what?
Tree frog
Fish
Songbird
Butterfly
The coqu is a small tree frog endemic to Puerto Rico, famous for its nighttime call "ko-kee." There are about 16 species on the island. It has become an informal national emblem of Puerto Rico. Wikipedia
Under which act were Puerto Ricans granted U.S. citizenship in 1917?
Morrill Act
Jones-Shafroth Act
Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty
Foraker Act
The Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917 granted U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans and restructured the islands government. It replaced the executive council with a senate and house of representatives. This act also imposed federal income tax. National Archives
Which hurricane caused widespread devastation in Puerto Rico in September 2017?
Hurricane Ike
Hurricane Maria
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Sandy
Hurricane Maria made landfall on September 20, 2017, as a Category 4 storm, causing catastrophic damage to infrastructure and leading to a humanitarian crisis. It is considered the worst natural disaster in Puerto Rican history. NOAA
Puerto Ricos legislative branch is known as the what?
National Assembly
Congress
Parliament
Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly of Puerto Rico is a bicameral body composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It meets in the Capitol building in San Juan. Members are elected by popular vote. Legislative Assembly
The first Spanish settlement on the island was called what?
San Juan
Arecibo
Caparra
Mayagez
Caparra was founded by Juan Ponce de Len in 1508 near present-day Guaynabo. The settlement was later moved to what is now Old San Juan due to health and harbor issues. Ruins of Caparra are a National Historic Landmark. National Park Service
La Fortaleza in San Juan serves as what?
The national museum
The main cathedral
The supreme court
The governors mansion
La Fortaleza, completed in 1540, is the oldest executive mansion in continuous use in the Western Hemisphere. It serves as the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico. It is part of the San Juan National Historic Site. NPS
Who was the first Puerto Rican to fly in space?
Gerald Carr
Franklin Chang-Daz
Ellen Ochoa
Jose M. Acaba
Jose M. Acaba, born in 1963 in Mayagez, became the first Puerto Rican astronaut when he flew aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-119 in 2009. He later served on the International Space Station. His achievements have inspired STEM education on the island. NASA
In what year was the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ratified?
1947
1950
1952
1960
Puerto Ricos constitution was approved by the islands electorate on March 3, 1952, and became effective July 25, 1952. It established the Commonwealth status under the U.S. Congress. This document defines the islands governmental structure. National Archives
The Nationalist revolts that occurred in Puerto Rico in 1950 were led by which political party?
New Progressive Party
Workers Party
Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
Popular Democratic Party
The revolts in 1950 were orchestrated by the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party under Pedro Albizu Campos. They took place in multiple towns, including Jayuya and Utuado, and were brutally suppressed. These uprisings sought full independence from the United States. Wikipedia
Operation Bootstrap, an economic program in mid-20th century Puerto Rico, focused primarily on what?
Educational reform
Tourism promotion
Agricultural expansion
Industrialization and economic development
Operation Bootstrap began in 1947 to transform Puerto Ricos economy from agrarian to industrial by attracting U.S. investment and offering tax incentives. It led to rapid growth in manufacturing and urbanization. Critics argue it also increased economic dependence. Wikipedia
Which Supreme Court case established the concept of inhabited territories, affecting Puerto Rico's status?
Roe v. Wade
Brown v. Board of Education
Marbury v. Madison
Downes v. Bidwell
Downes v. Bidwell (1901) was one of the Insular Cases where the Supreme Court ruled that full constitutional rights did not automatically extend to all U.S. territories. This case defined Puerto Ricos unincorporated status. Oyez
What is the indigenous Tano name for Puerto Rico, meaning "Land of the Valiant Lord"?
Ciboney
Arawak
Borikn
Atabey
Borikn, also spelled Boriqun, was the Tano name for the island before Spanish colonization. It is derived from the words buri (lord) and ken (land). The term lives on in the islands demonym, Boricua. Wikipedia
Who authored the influential Puerto Rican novel "La Charca" (The Bog), published in 1894?
Luis Pals Matos
Julia de Burgos
Rosario Ferr
Manuel Zeno Ganda
Manuel Zeno Ganda published La Charca in 1894, offering a naturalistic portrayal of rural life and social injustices under Spanish rule. It is considered one of the foundational works of Puerto Rican literature. The novel sparked debates on reform. Wikipedia
Which municipality is the largest by land area on the main island of Puerto Rico?
Mayagez
Bayamn
Arecibo
Ponce
Arecibo covers approximately 1255 square kilometers, making it the largest municipality by area on Puerto Ricos main island. It is known for the Arecibo Observatory and coastal caves. The city was founded in 1556. Wikipedia
As of 2017, how many referendums or plebiscites have been held concerning the political status of Puerto Rico?
Five
Two
Seven
Three
Puerto Rico has held five referendums on its political status: in 1967, 1993, 1998, 2012, and 2017. Each plebiscite asked voters to choose among statehood, independence, or maintaining the commonwealth status. The results have fueled ongoing debates in Congress. Brookings
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Colonial Milestones -

    Explain the major events from Spanish colonization to the United States acquisition of Puerto Rico, as covered in the quiz.

  2. Recall Key Dates and Figures -

    Identify the most important dates and influential historical figures featured in the Puerto Rico history quiz's questions about Puerto Rico.

  3. Analyze Cultural Influences -

    Assess how Taíno, Spanish, African, and American traditions have shaped modern Puerto Rican culture.

  4. Evaluate Historical Impact -

    Determine the significance of pivotal events - such as the Grito de Lares and Operation Bootstrap - on Puerto Rico's social and economic development.

  5. Identify Cultural Legends and Traditions -

    Recognize key folklore, festivals, and traditions highlighted in the Puerto Rico trivia questions.

  6. Apply Knowledge to Discussions -

    Use insights from the Puerto Rico facts quiz to engage in informed conversations about the island's heritage and history.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Pre-Columbian Taíno Civilization -

    Before European contact, the Taíno people flourished across Puerto Rico, developing sophisticated agriculture, pottery, and navigation techniques (source: Smithsonian Institution). Remember "Taíno = Mighty Canoe People" to recall their advanced seafaring skills. Their legacy lives on in place names like Arecibo and cultural traditions documented by the National Park Service.

  2. Spanish Conquest and Colonial Foundations (1493 - 1898) -

    Christopher Columbus's arrival in 1493 marked the start of over 400 years of Spanish rule, which transformed indigenous society and introduced Catholic missions (source: Library of Congress). The fortress of El Morro in San Juan, with its triangular bastions, exemplifies Spain's military architecture. Use the date "1493" as a mnemonic by imagining Columbus on his second voyage.

  3. Treaty of Paris 1898 and U.S. Transition -

    Under the Treaty of Paris, Spain ceded Puerto Rico to the United States, initiating a new colonial relationship that reshaped the island's legal and economic systems (source: U.S. National Archives). A handy memory phrase is "1898, Spain out the gate." This period set the stage for debates over citizenship and self-governance that continue today.

  4. Jones Act of 1917 and Citizenship -

    The Jones Act granted U.S. citizenship to Puerto Ricans and established a civilian government, but it also imposed shipping restrictions that still affect the economy (source: Congressional Research Service). Think "J for Jones and Jersey citizenship" to recall both rights and restrictions. This law remains central when studying Puerto Rico's political status.

  5. Operation Bootstrap and Modernization -

    Launched in the late 1940s, Operation Bootstrap shifted Puerto Rico from an agrarian economy to industrial manufacturing, spurring rapid urbanization and mass migration to the U.S. mainland (source: University of Puerto Rico). Visualize a factory rising from sugarcane fields to remember this transformation. This era also saw the global spread of Puerto Rican music and culture, including salsa.

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