Did you know-Puerto Rico?
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Did You Know - Puerto Rico? is a list that contains interesting but little known facts about Puerto Rico and itspeople. Each addition to the listmust provide a reliable verifiable source otherwise it will be removed.

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External audio
You may view a newsreel of Rivero in the world's first"Walk-A-Thon"here

1. That... contrary to popular belief,Puerto Rico residents do pay federal taxes?^[1]
2. That... theCuatro is the national instrument of Puerto Rico?
3. That...Telemundo, the second largest Spanish-language television station in the United States, was founded by the Puerto Rican industrialistÁngel Ramos in Puerto Rico?
4. That... one ofCafé Rico's products,"San Carlos Selection", was the official coffee of theVatican City?^[2][3]
5. That... theold lighthouse onIsla de Mona was designed byGustave Eiffel?^[4]
6. That... the world-famous drink, thePiña Colada was invented in a house on Fortaleza Street inOld San Juan, Puerto Rico and that its main ingredientCoco López was invented byRamón López Irizarry?
7. That...San Juan is the largest home-basedcruise port in the world?
8. That... Puerto Rico is not an independent country,^[5] but is rather aunincorporated territory of the United States?
9. That... Puerto Rico hasnever been an independent country?^[5]
10. That... there are more Puerto Ricansliving in the rest of the United States than in the island of Puerto Rico itself?
11. That... travel within the United Statesincludes Puerto Rico, and no U.S.passport is necessary?
12. That... as of 2003,twenty-five percent of allpharmaceutical products manufactured in the United States wereshipped from Puerto Rico, and sixteen of the top twenty best selling prescription drugs in the United States were produced on the island?^[6]
13. That... Puerto Rico enjoys one of the planet's highest productivity ratios? That value-added inmanufacturing on the island totals $10.02 for every dollar of production worker wages, more than double the mainland US average of $4.64?^[7]
14. That... thezip code 00601 is the lowest assigned to any geographic place in the United States or its territories and belongs toAdjuntas, Puerto Rico?^[8]
15. That... Puerto Rico'sTren Urbano is theCaribbean's first rapid transit system
16. That... thePlaza Las Américas mall in San Juan is the most profitable mall per square foot in the world?^[9]
17. That... the biggestJ. C. Penney in the world is located inPlaza Las Américas mall in Puerto Rico?^[9]
18. That... the world's first knownWalk-A-Thon took place in Puerto Rico in 1953, and that it was organized by Puerto Rican comedianRamón "Diplo" Rivero? "Diplo" walked 80 miles from the capital city ofSan Juan, crossing Puerto Rico up and down the treacherous mountain roads ofCayey, known as "La Piquiña", toPonce, on the other side of the island, to raise money for the Liga Puertorriqueña Contra el Cáncer (the Puerto Rican League Against Cancer).^[10]
19. That... theTibes Indigenous Ceremonial Center is the oldestAntillean Indian ceremonial and sports complex yet uncovered in Puerto Rico? Within its boundaries is also the largestindigenous cemetery yet discovered – consisting of 186 human skeletons, most from theIgneri and the rest from the pre-Taíno cultures.^[11] Based on the orientation of the ceremonial plazas, this is also believed to be the oldest astronomical observatory in the Antilles.^[12]
20. That... theBomba is a music, rhythm and dance that was brought byWest African slaves to the island of Puerto Rico.^[13] and that thePlena was brought toPonce by blacks who immigrated north from the English-speaking islands south of Puerto Rico?
21. That...J. C. Penney's,Home Depot's,Kmart's,Sears' andMacy's highest sales per square foot are all inPuerto Rico?^[14]
22. That... the wordPiragua (pi·ra·güa) in most Spanish-speaking countries meanspirogue, a small, flat-bottomed boat?^[15] However, that in Puerto Rico the wordpiragua refers to a frozen treat made of shaved ice and covered with fruit flavored syrup? The piragua is pointy and shaped like a pyramid. The wordpiragua is derived from the combination of the Spanish words "pirámide" (pyramid) and "agua" (water).^[16] In Latin America, frozen treats similar to the piragua are known by many different names.^[17]
23. That... the holder of the currentGuinness Record for theWorld's Smallest Jet, theBede BD-5J Microjet is a native of Puerto Rico?^[18]
24. That..one ofDelta Air Lines' original fiveDC-3 aircraft, the famousDelta Ship 41, was found in Puerto Rico during the 1990s, flying for a Puerto Rican airline namedAir Puerto Rico?^[19]

1. That... In 1509,Juan Garrido, aconquistador in Juan Ponce de León's entourage, became the firstAfrican to set foot on the island?^[20]
2. That... the island ofPuerto Rico was originally christened as"San Juan Bautista" (St. John the Baptist), whose capital was calledPuerto Rico? That over the years, the names of the island and the capital were exchanged, andSan Juan Bautista became the name ofthe capital whilePuerto Rico became the name of the island?
3. That... the state ofFlorida wasdiscovered by Puerto Rico's first governor,DonJuan Ponce de León?
4. That...slaves in Puerto Rico were branded on the forehead with a stamp so people would know they were brought in legally and it prevented them from being kidnapped? The method of hot branding was no longer used after 1784. See:African immigration to Puerto Rico^[21]
5. That...La Fortaleza in San Juan is the oldest executive mansion in theNew World?
6. That... thePuerto Rican coat of arms is the oldest official national seal still used in the Americas?
7. That... in 1596,Sir Francis Drake, the famed British Admiral who defeated theSpanish Armada, was defeated twice in his attempts to takeSan Juan and that he died of dysentery while attacking the island?
8. That... the English settlers who establishedJamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America, first stopped in Puerto Rico for provisions before heading towards Virginia? Yes, from April 5 to 10, 1607 the shipsGodspeed,Susan Constant andDiscovery made stops inVieques, southern Puerto Rico, and Mona andMonito Islanda on their way to Virginia.^{[citation needed]}
9. That... Puerto Ricomet the requirements to be defined as anation well before the Pilgrims came to the United States?
10. That... on February 17, 1797, the Spanish-appointed governor of Puerto Rico, BrigadierRamón de Castro believed that the local residents and foreigners ofEnglish andIrish descent supported the anti-Spanish military campaign and ordered to place them under surveillance, plus that many were given eight days to leave the island and those who did not leave were imprisoned?^[22] Many of the people in Puerto Rico, among them Treasury official Felipe Antonio Mejía, were outraged at Castro's actions and came to the defense of the Irish. See:Irish immigration to Puerto Rico
11. That... the bronze statue ofJuan Ponce de León in the center of the Plaza de San Juan was made from British cannons captured duringSir Ralph Abercromby's attack in 1797?
12. That... in 1821,Marcos Xiorro, abozal slave, planned and conspired to lead a slave revolt against the sugar plantation owners and theSpanish Colonial government in Puerto Rico?^[23]
13. That... in 1822, there was an attempt, known as theDucoudray Holstein Expedition, conceived, carefully planned and organized byGeneralHenri La Fayette Villaume Ducoudray Holstein to invade Puerto Rico and declare it the"República Boricua"^[24] and that General Ducoudray Holstein intended to make the city ofMayagüez the capital of the island?^[24] The plans of the invasion were soon disclosed to the Spanish authorities and the plot never materialized.
14. That...Old San Juan has more than four hundred carefully restored 16th and 17th century Spanishcolonial buildings?
15. That...Corsicans and those of Corsican descent have played an instrumental role in the development of the economy of the island, especially in the coffee industry? See:Corsican immigration to Puerto Rico^[25]
16. That... in 1858, wired communication in Puerto Rico began in the town ofArroyo, the first in Latin America, whenSamuel Morse introduced the telegraph into the island?^[26]
17. That... when the United States enacted theChinese Exclusion Act on May 6, 1882, many Chinese in the United States fled to Puerto Rico? They established small niches and worked in restaurants and laundries.^[27]
18. That... the"first Puerto Rican Flag" was the"Revolutionary flag of Lares"?. The flag was knitted byMariana Bracetti and used in the short-lived rebellion against Spain known as theGrito de Lares (The Cry of Lares).^[28]
19. That... Puerto Rico once had aPresident?Francisco Ramírez Medina, who participated in theGrito de Lares, was temporarily named President of the "Republic of Puerto Rico" on September 28, 1868, until the revolt was ended by the Spanish Colonial Government?.
20. That... Puerto Rico had anofficial currency (coins) minted and in circulation in 1898, and that extant samples of these coins in pristine condition are extremely valuable?
21. That... Puerto Rico had an its ownpostage stamps and that the first stamps inscribed "Puerto Rico" were issued in 1873?^[29]
22. That... theIntentona de Yauco of March 26, 1897, was the last major uprising against Spanish Colonial rule in the island?^[30]
23. That... theBaños de Coamo, a popular resort, was damaged by artillery bombardments during thePuerto Rican Campaign of the Spanish–American War?^[31]
24. That... Puerto Rico has beena territory of the United States since1898?
25. That... after theSpanish–American War and up to 1904, Puerto Ricans were considered as "aliens" in the United States?^[32]
26. That... the public display of thePuerto Rican Flag was once considered a felony (from 1892 to 1954) and that anyone who did so could end up in jail?
27. That... in 1906,Theodore Roosevelt, the first US president to travel outside the United States, made a stop in Puerto Rico (thus, becoming the first president to visit the island) and that he stayed overnight in Ponce?^[33]
28. That... in 1914, theRevenue CutterAlgonquin, which was stationed in the Caribbean, set sail with a crew of fifteen Hispanic-Americans (a fourth of the cutter's complement) to San Juan, Puerto Rico to assist the Puerto Ricans battling fires that threatened to destroy parts of that city? In 1915, the City of San Juan, Puerto Rico, paid tribute to the crew of the cutter Algonquin and presented them with an Official Resolution of Thanks.^[34]
29. That...Fort San Felipe del Morro was designated aWorld Heritage Site (a list that includes sites such as theTaj Mahal) by theUnited Nations in 1983, and aNational Historical site by the United States?
30. That... Puerto Rico hasnever had a civil war?
31. That... even though Puerto Rico has never been an independent country, there is aPuerto Rican citizenship? Puerto Rican citizenship was first legislated by theU.S. Congress in Article 7 of theForaker Act of 1900 and later recognized by thePuerto Rican constitution.^[35][36]
32. That .... on October 29, 1950, thePuerto Rican Nationalist Party revolted against US rule in Puerto Rico and that uprisings were held in various cities and towns in the island in what is known as thePuerto Rican Nationalist Party revolts of the 1950s?^[37]
33. That ... in 1948,Luis Muñoz Marín presided over the Puerto Rican legislature which was controlled by thePartido Popular Democrático, (PPD) (Popular Democratic Party) and that they approved the infamous"Ley de la Mordaza" known asPuerto Rico's Gag Law and that it became law with the signature of the United States-appointed governorJesús T. Piñero? Did you also know that the law made it a crime to own or display a Puerto Rican flag, to sing a patriotic tune, to speak or write of independence, or to meet with anyone, or hold any assembly, with regard to the political status of Puerto Rico, violating the First Amendment of theUS Constitution?^[38]
34. That ... according to theUnited States Supreme Court, Puerto Rico belongs to but is not part of the United States?^[39]
35. That ... the first commercialsilent film was presented in the"Teatro La Perla" in Ponce in 1901?^[40]
36. That ... A cartoon which appeared in the Philadelphia Inquirer in 1899, depicted the people of the newly acquired United States possessions, including Puerto Rico, as black savage children?^[41]

1. That... in 1950, the authorities in Puerto Rico placed a US$10,000 bounty on the head of outlawAntonio Correa Cotto, either dead or alive, which was a first in the crime annals of the island?..^[42]
2. That...José A. Cabranes, Circuit Judge is the first Puerto Rican to serve as afederal judge in the continental United States and that he was mentioned as possibleAssociate Justice?^[43]
3. That...Nicholas Estavillo, NYPD Chief of Patrol (Ret.) - is the first Puerto Rican and the first Hispanic in the history of theNYPD to reach the three-star rank of Chief of Patrol?^[44]
4. That...Faith Evans, was the first woman to be namedU.S. Marshal?
5. That...Dora Irizarry was the first female Hispanic state judge in New York?
6. That...Irma Lozada was the first female police officer to die in action in New York?^[45]
7. That...Roberto Rivera-Soto, Associate Justice, is the first Puerto Rican and Latino New Jersey State Supreme Court Justice?
8. That...Joe Sánchez is a former New York City police officer who is the author of"Latin Blues","True Blue: A Tale of the Enemy Within","Red Herring" and"Yellow Streak" books which give an insight as to the corruption within the NYPD Department?^[46]
9. That...Sonia Sotomayor is the first Puerto Rican woman and Hispanic to serve as aU.S. Circuit Court judge and to be nominated and confirmed asU.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice?

1. That... the first shot fired by the United States inWorld War I was in Puerto Rico and not in Europe? The first shot was made by SergeantEncarnación Correa, upon orders of Lt.Teófilo Marxuach, against the "Odenwald", an armed German supply ship which tried to force its way out of San Juan Bay and deliver supplies to the German submarines waiting in the Atlantic Ocean.
2. That... Major GeneralLuis R. Esteves, the first Puerto Rican to graduate fromWest Point, graduated first in his class, which includedDwight D. Eisenhower andOmar Bradley?
3. That... Puerto Ricans commanded by Brigadier General Ramón de Castro fought alongside theContinental Army during theAmerican Revolution as part of the troops under the command of GeneralBernardo de Gálvez?
4. That... Lieutenant GeneralPedro del Valle, the first Hispanic to reach the rank of Lieutenant General in theMarine Corps, played an instrumental role inWorld War II when he and the Marines under his command defeated the Japanese forces inOkinawa and that he was in charge of the reorganization of that island?
5. That... SergeantAlexander Joseph Foley (U.S.M.C.), born inHockersville, Pennsylvania. in 1866 and recipient of theMedal of Honor during theBoxer Rebellion is buried in the island municipality ofCulebra?
6. That... the Commander of the Cuban Liberation Army, GeneralJuan Ríus Rivera, was a Puerto Rican who also participated in theGrito de Lares revolt?
7. That... Brigadier GeneralAntonio Valero de Bernabé "The Puerto Rican Liberator", who fought againstNapoleon Bonaparte inSpain and later forMexico's independence against Spain, helped liberateSouth America from Spanish Colonial rule alongsideSimón Bolívar?
8. That... Sergeant First ClassAgustín Ramos Calero born inIsabela, with 22 decorations was the most decorated Hispanic soldier in the United States military during World War II?
9. That... Capt.Humbert Roque Versace, was the first ArmyP.O.W. to receive theMedal of Honor for his actions inSoutheast Asia during captivity?
10. That... Tech4Carmen Contreras-Bozak, was the first Hispanic to join theWomen's Army Corps and that she served inAlgiers during World War II?
11. That... In 1980,Linda García Cubero, Class of 1980United States Air Force Academy, was the first Hispanic woman to graduate from a military academy?^[47]
12. That... In 1984, ColonelMichelle Fraley, Class of 1984, West Point Academy, became the first Puerto Rican woman to graduate from West Point? Fraley (née Hernández) eventually served aschief of staff of theArmy Network Enterprise Technology Command.^[48][49]
13. That... during the Korean War, the Battle of Outpost Kelly accounted for seventy-three of the men missing in action from the total of 121 men reported MIAs of Puerto Rico's65th Infantry Regiment^[50] and that out of the seventy-three MIAs suffered by the regiment in the month of September, fifty of them occurred on the same daySeptember 18? See:Puerto Ricans Missing in Action in the Korean War^[51]
14. That... ninety-five members of Puerto Rico's65th Infantry Regiment were court-martialed in what is considered the largest mass court-martial of theKorean War?
15. That... the65th Infantry Regiment was the only unit ever transferred from active component Army to theNational Guard?
16. That... AdmiralHoracio Rivero, Jr., was the first Puerto Rican and second Hispanic to become a four-starAdmiral in theU.S. Navy? The first Hispanic full Admiral wasDavid Farragut during theAmerican Civil War.
17. That... over53,000 Puerto Ricansserved in World War II?
18. That... ColonelVirgil R. Miller, a native ofSan Germán, Puerto Rico, was the Regimental Commander of the442nd Regimental Combat Team, the most decorated unit in the U.S. military history, a unit which was composed of "Nisei" (second generation Americans of Japanese descent), during World War II?^[52][53]
19. That... Staff Sgt.Modesto Cartagena, U.S. Army, is the most decorated Hispanic in history?
20. That... Brigadier GeneralMihiel "Mike" Gilormini, who together with Brig. Gen.Alberto A. Nido and Col. José Antonio Muñiz co-founded thePuerto Rico Air National Guard, served with theRoyal Canadian Air Force, theRoyal Air Force and theUnited States Army Air Forces during World War II?
21. That... Capt.Miguel Enríquez, was apirate in the latter part of the 17^th century who fought and defeated the British Navy inVieques and was granted the privileges ofprivateer by the Spanish Crown?^[54]
22. That... Brigadier GeneralAntonio Maldonado in 1965 became the youngest person to pilot aB-52 aircraft?
23. That... ColonelHéctor Andrés Negroni was the first Puerto Rican graduate of the United States Air Force Academy?
24. That... Capt.María Inés Ortiz was the first Puerto Rican nurse to die in combat and the first Army nurse to die in Iraq?
25. That... Rear AdmiralFrederick Lois Riefkohl was the first Puerto Rican to graduate from the United States Naval Academy and the first Puerto Rican to be awarded theNavy Cross, a military decoration second only to the Medal of honor?
26. That... Capt.Ángel Rivero Méndez fired the first shot against the Americans in theSpanish–American War in Puerto Rico and later invented the "Kola Champagne"?
27. That... Master Sgt.Pedro Rodríguez, was awarded two Silver Star Medals in one week?
28. That... GeneralManuel Goded Llopis was a high ranking Puerto Rican in the Spanish Army, who was one of the first generales to join Spanish GeneralFrancisco Franco in the revolt against the Spanish Republican government in what is known as the Spanish Civil War?^[55]
29. That... LieutenantCarmelo Delgado Delgado a member of thePuerto Rican Nationalist Party, was amongst the first U.S. citizens to die in theSpanish Civil War?^[56]
30. That... theU.S. Naval Station Roosevelt Roads was meant to be thePearl Harbor of theAtlantic and that it was the largest naval installation in the world? Yes, in 1940, when Germany attacked Great Britain, the United States feared that if Germany controlled Great Britain, Mexico and the U.S. would be next. In 1940, PresidentFranklin Delano Roosevelt ordered the construction of a naval base in the Atlantic similar to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The site was meant to provide anchorage, docking, repair facilities, fuel, and supplies for 60% of the Atlantic Fleet. The naval base, which was named U.S. Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, became the largest naval installation in the world in land mass. The fate of the base was changed after the Germans were defeated and the Navy's attention shifted from the Atlantic to the Pacific.^[57]
31. That... in April 1944, CaptainMarion Frederic Ramírez de Arellano, a native of San Juan, Puerto Rico, was the first Hispanicsubmarine commander in theUnited States Navy?^[58]
32. That... ColonelRaúl G. Villaronga (Ret.) was the first Puerto Rican to be elected as Mayor of aTexas city (Killeen)?^[59]
33. That... the ship which capturedRoberto Cofresí and his crew in 1825, theU.S.Grampus, was lost at sea with all its crew in 1843?^[60]
34. That... in October 1918,Dr.Dolores Piñero, a native of San Juan, became the first Puerto Rican woman doctor to serve in the United States Army under contract during World War I?^[61]
35. That... Sergeant First ClassJorge Otero Barreto (Ret.) a.k.a. "ThePuerto RicanRambo", was the most decoratedHispanic American soldier in theVietnam War with a total of thirty-eight military decorations?^[62]
36. That... Private First ClassDomingo Arroyo, Jr., aUnited States Marine, was the firstPuerto Rican and American serviceman to be killed inOperation Restore Hope during theSomalian Civil War?^[63]
37. That... CaptainManuel Rivera, Jr., was the firstPuerto Rican and U.S. serviceman to die inOperation Desert Shield?^[64]
38. That... LTJG (Lieutenant Junior Grade)María Rodríguez Denton was the first Puerto Rican female who became an officer in the United States Navy as member of theWAVES and that it was LTJG Rodríguez Denton who forwarded the news (through channels) to PresidentHarry S. Truman thatWorld War II had ended?^[65]
39. That... CaptainJuan de Amezquita defended Puerto Rico from an invasion by the Dutch in 1625 and wounded Captain Balduino Enrico (Boudewijn Hendricksz) in a sword fight during the process?^[66]
40. That... in World War II, Private First ClassJoseph (José) R. Martínez, born in San Germán, Puerto Rico, became the first Puerto Rican to be awarded theDistinguished Service Cross, second only to theMedal of Honor, when he destroyed a German Infantry unit and tank by providing heavy artillery fire, saving his platoon from being attacked in the process?^[67][68]
41. That... SergeantsJosé and Francisco Díaz, members of the Toa Alta Militia who helped defeat SirRalph Abercromby and defend Puerto Rico from a British invasion in 1797, were cousins?^[69]
42. That... CaptainIván Castro was the only blind officer serving in theUnited States Special Forces?^[70]
43. That... CaptainFélix Arenas Gaspar was a Puerto Rican Captain in the Spanish Army who was posthumously awarded theCruz Laureada de San Fernando (Spain's version of the Medal of Honor) for his actions in the Rif War?^[71]
44. That... Brigadier GeneralJosé M. Portela was and still is the youngestC-141 Starlifter aircraft commander and captain in the United States Air Force at age 26?^[72]
45. That... during theIntentona de Yauco of March 26, 1897, the current version of theFlag of Puerto Rico was flown on the island for the first time by Fidel Vélez?^[30]
46. That... LieutenantAugusto Rodríguez, a Puerto Rican native who joined the 15th Connecticut Regiment (a.k.a. Lyon Regiment) of theUnited States Union Army, served in the defenses of Washington D.C. and led his men in the Battles ofFredericksburg andWyse Fork in theAmerican Civil War?^[73]
47. That...Pedro Albizu Campos, who later became the leader of thePuerto Rican Nationalist Party, held the rank of lieutenant in theUnited States Army?
48. That... CWO2Joseph B. Avilés, Sr. was the first Hispanic promoted Chief Petty Officer and later the first Hispanic Chief Warrant Officer in the United States Coast Guard?^[74]
49. That... Private First ClassFernando Luis García was the first Puerto Rican, from a total of nine, to be awarded theMedal of Honorposthumously and that his remains were never recovered? There is a headstone with García's name in the Puerto Rico National Cemetery in the city of Bayamón, Puerto Rico.
50. That... On January 6, 1914, First Lieutenant Bernard L. Smith established the Marine Section of the Navy Flying School in the island municipality ofCulebra?^[75] As the number of Marine Aviators grew so did the avid desire to separate fromNaval Aviation.^[76] By doing so, the Marine Aviation was designated as separate from the United States Naval Aviation. The creation of a"Marine Corps Aviation Company" in Puerto Rico consisted of ten officers and forty enlisted men.^[77]
51. That... when the United States entered World War II, the military was in need of nurses and thatPuerto Rican nurses wanted to volunteer for service, however they were not accepted into theArmy orNavy Nurse Corps?^[78] In 1944, the Army Nurse Corps (ANC) decided to accept Puerto Rican nurses.
52. That... during World War II, 200 Puerto Rican women were assigned toCompany 6, 2nd Battalion, 21st Regiment of the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps, a segregated Hispanic unit?^[78]
53. That... In 1963, the Air National Guard Base, at the San Juan International airport in Puerto Rico, was renamed "Muñiz Air National Guard Base" in honor of Lieutenant ColonelJosé Antonio Muñiz, a co-founder of the "PRANG"?^[79]
54. That... nine Puerto Ricans were posthumously awarded theMedal of Honor, the highest military decoration in the United States? They werePFC Fernando Luis García,Master Sergeant Juan E. Negrón,Private Demensio Rivera,Private Miguel Armando Vera,Staff Sergeant Félix M. Conde-Falcón,PFC Carlos James Lozada,Capt. Eurípides Rubio,Specialist Four Héctor Santiago Colón andCaptainHumbert Roque Versace.
55. That... CaptainRamón Acha Caamaño was awarded the "Cruz de la Orden de Mérito Naval 1ra clase" (The Cross of the Order of the Naval Merit 1st class) by the Spanish government for his role in the rescue of the cargo of theSSAntonio López, a Spanish transoceanic steamer, during the Spanish–American War?
56. That... the"SS ANTONIO LÓPEZ Shipwreck Site and Remains" are listed in theNational Register of Historic Places #93001593?^[80]
57. That... Lieutenant ColonelOlga E. Custodio made history when she became the first femaleHispanic U.S. military pilot and that after retiring from the military she became the firstLatina to become a commercial airline captain?^[81]
58. That ... On September 11, 2001,Marc H. Sasseville, now a Brigadier General, was given the mission of findingUnited Airlines Flight 93 and destroying it, even if it meant ramming the plane. The tactic would be similar to the suicide military tactics known askamikaze missions used by the military aviators from theEmpire of Japan in World War II?^[82]
59. That... CaptainHila Levy,United States Air Force, made history in 2007 when she became the first Puerto RicanRhodes scholar?^[83][84]
60. That ... On June 10, 2014, theBorinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal Bill was signed by PresidentBarack Obama, thus making the65th Infantry Regiment the first military unit composed almost entirely of Puerto Ricans to receive such an honor?^[85]
61. That ... Brigadier GeneralIrene M. Zoppi is the first Puerto Rican female to reach the rank of Brigadier General in the United States Armed Forces?^[86]
62. That ...Marta Carcana is the first woman Adjutant General of the Puerto Rican National Guard?^[87][88]
63. That ... PresidentBarack Obama awarded the Medal of Honor toJuan E. Negrón,Demensio Rivera,Miguel Vera andFélix Conde Falcón bringing the total Puerto Rican recipients of said honor to nine? Prior to the Medal of Honor upgrade, which was made on March 18, 2014, they all had been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross Medal.^[89]
64. That ... on November 20, 2007, Puerto Rican military historianTony Santiago became the first Puerto Rican recognized by alegislative body, the23rd Senate of Puerto Rico, for his contributions toWikipedia related to Puerto Rico?^[90]

1. That... theCamuy River is the third longest underground river in the world?
2. That... thePuerto Rican spindalis is thenational bird ofPuerto Rico and often participates inmobbing, a behavior in which it attackspredators to defendhatchlings?
3. That...El Yunque National Forest, is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S.National Forest System and that more than a billion gallons of precipitation fall each year?
4. That... theElfin woods warbler, anendemic bird ofPuerto Rico first observed in 1968, is the lastNew World warbler species to be discovered?
5. That... the world's highest concentrations ofBioluminescent waters arein Puerto Rico?
6. That... thePuerto Rico Trench, roughly parallel to the island and 75 miles north, is home to the deepest submarine depression in the North Atlantic Ocean, and that the deepest point in the Atlantic Ocean, theMilwaukee Depth (27,493 ft / 8,380 m), lies within the trench?
7. That... theEl Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico is one of the oldest protected areas in the Western Hemisphere by virtue of having been set aside by the Spanish Crown in 1876 while Puerto Rico was still part of theSpanish Empire? Was designated a United Nations Biosphere Reserve in 1976.
8. That...Flamenco Beach located inCulebra was rated the second most beautiful beach in the world?
9. That... theGuánica State Forest was designated aUnited NationsBiosphere Reserve in 1981 and is considered the best preserved, most virgin subtropical forest in the Americas?
10. That... theBaños de Coamo are Puerto Rico's only thermal springs?
11. That... theCommon coquí orCoquí (Eleutherodactylus coqui) afrog native to Puerto Rico, is a very important aspect ofPuerto Rican culture and it has become an unofficial territorial symbol of Puerto Rico?^[91]
12. That...Puerto Rico's beaches come in every size, color, and form, from the pure white dunes ofIsabela to the black volcanic sands near Punta Santiago?^[92]

External audio
You may view:Civil Rights- Mendez vs. Westminster; By: Óscar Rosales in which Felícitas Méndez played an instrumental rolehere.

1. That... in 1907,Antonio Paoli, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, recorded the first opera in history "Pagliacci" byRuggiero Leoncavallo and that Paoli was known as the Tenor of Kings and the King of Tenors?^[93]
2. That...Félix Rigau Carrera was the first Puerto Ricanpilot and the first pilot to fly on air mail carrying duties in Puerto Rico?^[94]
3. That...Melliangee Pérez was awarded the Soprano of the Year award by UNESCO?^[95]
4. That...Irem Poventud was the first Puerto Rican to perform in theSan Francisco Opera House?^[96]
5. That...Margarita Castro Alberty was the recipient of the prestigiousRockefeller Foundation,Baltimore Opera Guild,Chicago Opera Guide and Metropolitan Opera Guild awards?^[97]
6. That .... In 1909,Elisa Rivera Díaz andAna Janer became the first Puerto Rican female medical doctors?^[98]
7. That... in 1919,Luisa Capetillo was the first woman to publicly wear pants in Puerto Rico and that she was sent to jail for it?
8. That... the Father of Black History in the United States wasArturo Schomburg who was born in Santurce, Puerto Rico in 1874?
9. That...Antonia Novello, a native ofFajardo, Puerto Rico, was both the first female and the first HispanicSurgeon General of the United States (1990-1993)?
10. That...Juan Mari Brás was the first person to receive a Puerto Rican citizenship certificate from the Puerto Rico State Department since the establishment of the Commonwealth in 1952, an action which has been since questioned by theUnited States Department of State?
11. That...Jesús María Sanromá earned the position of official pianist of theBoston Symphony Orchestra, becoming the first person ever to receive such an honor?^[99]
12. That...José de Diego was in the audience in January 1916, whenJesús María Sanromá debuted at the Puerto Rican Ateneo and that he was so impressed with Sanromá that he persuaded the government to give Sanromá a grant of 600 dólares?^[99]
13. That...Rafael Alers became the first Puerto Rican to compose the music score for a Hollywood movie, when he was hired for such a task for the 1956 movie "Crowded Paradise", directed by Fred Pressburger?^[100]
14. That... whenBenicio del Toro andJoaquín Phoenix were nominated by theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Best Supporting Actor in 2001, it was the first time that two actors born in Puerto Rico were simultaneously nominated for such an honor?^[101]
15. That...Dr.Carlos Albizu Miranda is the first Hispanic Educator to have a North American University renamed in his honor and one of the first Hispanics to earn a PhD. in psychology in the United States?^[102]
16. That... in 1947,Marquita Rivera became the first Puerto Rican actress to appear in a major Hollywood motion picture when she appeared inRoad to Rio, oppositeBob Hope,Bing Crosby andDorothy Lamour?^[103]
17. That...Samuel A. Ramírez, Sr. madeWall Street history by becoming the firstHispanic to launch a successful investment banking firm?^[104]
18. That...Francisco Oller is considered to be the onlyLatin American painter to play a role in the development ofImpressionism?.^[105]
19. That...José Andino y Amezquita, a direct descendant of CaptainJuan de Amezquita andField Marshal Gaspar Martínez De Andino, aSpaniard who was appointed by theSpanish CrownGovernor of Puerto Rico as governor, became the first Puerto Rican journalist in 1814?^[106]
20. That...Julio Vizcarrondo, who played an instrumental role in the abolishment of slavery in Puerto Rico, was also the founder of theProtestantism movement in theIberian Peninsula in the 19th Century?^[107]
21. That... Dr.Héctor Feliciano, is the author of "The Lost Museum: The Nazi Conspiracy to Steal the World's Greatest Works of Art", a book which proved the corrupt relationship between Europe's art museums and art dealers with the Nazi art looters of World War II and that his book forced the French government to display in public thousands of art works acquired from looters?.^[108]
22. That...Clara Livingston, born in New York but who lived inDorado, Puerto Rico since she was five years old, in 1927 became the first Puerto Rican female pilot and that at the time that she earned her flying license she was only the eleventh woman pilot to do so?^[109]
23. That...Isabel González a young, pregnant, single Puerto Rican mother challenged the Government of the United States when she was detained inEllis Island in the groundbreaking case "GONZALES v. WILLIAMS" a case which helped pave the way for Puerto Ricans to be recognized as American citizens?^[32]
24. That...Dr.Agustín Stahl, Puerto Rico's first renowned scientist, was the first person to adorn aChristmas tree in Puerto Rico? It happened in his backyard in Bayamón in 1866.^[110]
25. That...Jaime Fonalledas is the President and CEO of Empresas Fonalledas Inc., which ownsPlaza Las Américas, the largest shopping mall in the Caribbean and one of the top retail and entertainment venues in the world?^[111]
26. That...Rafael Carrión, Sr. was a founding father ofBanco Popular de Puerto Rico, the largest bank in Puerto Rico and the largest Hispanic bank in the United States?
27. That...Obed Gómez, a Puerto Rican visual artist, is known as "The Puerto Rican Picasso"?
28. That...Marie Teresa Ríos, the mother of Medal of Honor recipientHumbert Roque Versace, was the author of the bookThe Fifteen Pelicans and that popular 1960s television sitcomThe Flying Nun was based on her book?
29. That...Blanca Canales may possibly have been the first woman to have led a revolt against the United States when she led theJayuya Uprising?^[112]
30. That...Sylvia Méndez at age eight played an instrumental role in theMendez v. Westminster case, the landmark desegregation case of 1946, which successfully endedde jure segregation inCalifornia^[113] and paved the way forintegration and theAmerican civil rights movement?^[114]
31. That... Dr.Angel Ramos is one of the few deaf Hispanics in the United States to hold a doctorate?
32. That...Rita Moreno is the first and onlyHispanic and one of the few performers who have won anEmmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony?^[115]
33. That...José Ferrer was the first Hispanic to win anAcademy Award? He won Best Actor forCyrano de Bergerac in 1950.
34. That...José Ferrer,Benicio del Toro,Joaquin Phoenix andRita Moreno are the only four Puerto Ricans to have won anAcademy Award? All four have been for Best Actor/Actress.
35. That... the mother ofPablo Casals, Pilar Defilló de Casals, was born inMayagüez, Puerto Rico?^[116]
36. That...Juano Hernández was a pioneering Puerto Rican actor of African descent and the first Puerto Rican star in the African-American film industry?
37. That...Rafael Cancel Miranda was the only Nationalist out of the four who participated on the March 1, 1954 United States Capitol shooting incident to have been jailed inAlcatraz?
38. That... bothRafael Carrión, Sr., the founder ofBanco Popular de Puerto Rico, the largest bank in Puerto Rico and the largest Hispanic bank in the United States,^[117] andAngel Ramos, the founder ofTelemundo, the second largestSpanish-language television network in the United States, were orphans born to poor families and neither had college degrees?
39. That...Augusto Rodríguez, the founder of the Choir of the University of Puerto Rico, was also the founder of the Hebrew Festival Chorus of San Juan's Jewish community?
40. That...Juan Emilio Viguié, a pioneer in Puerto Rico's film industry, produced"Romance Tropical" the first Puerto Rican film with sound which in itself was also the second Spanish movie in the world with sound?^[40]
41. That... Nine Puerto Ricans have been awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedom, an award bestowed by the President of the United States and which is the highest civilian award in the United States?
42. That... Former governorLuis A. Ferré and his sisterIsolina Ferré are the only pair of Puerto Rican brothers and sisters to have been awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedom?
43. That... Three Puerto Ricans have been awarded thePresidential Citizens Medal, an award bestowed by the President of the United States and which is the second highest civilian award in the United States?
44. That... In 2013, theGuinness World Records certified thatGuillermo José Torres broke the record of being the anchorman with the longest career in the same station after forty-three years?^[118]
45. That...Felícitas Méndez, a native ofJuncos, was anAmerican civil rights pioneer?
    In 1946, Méndez and her ]]Mexicans|Mexican]] husband took it upon themselves the task of leading a community battle that changed California and set an important legal precedent for endingde jure segregation in the United States. The landmark desegregation case, known as theMendez v. Westminster case^[119] paved the way forintegration and theAmerican civil rights movement.^[114]
46. That...Elsa Miranda, a native of Ponce, was a popular vocalist and that she participated in the first "Chiquita Banana" commercial where she sang the jingle? Puls, the she is considered to be the most famous Miss Chiquita?^[120]
47. That.... The Miss Universe Contest of 2003, was the first time in that pageant history that two women of Puerto Rican heritage,Susie Castillo andCarla Tricoli, participated at the same time representing different countries? Castillo represented the United States and Tricoli Puerto Rico.
48. That....Deirdre Connelly, a native of San Juan, was recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the 50 most powerful women in business for 8 consecutive years (2007–2014)?^[121]
49. That....Carlos Contreras Aponte, born in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico, is the first legally blind person to serve as theSecretary of Transportation and Public Works of Puerto Rico?^[122][123]

1. That...Jesús T. Piñero was not the first native Puerto Rican governor of Puerto Rico? That honor belongs toJuan Ponce de León II, who in 1597 became the first native Puerto Rican to assume, temporarily, the governorship of Puerto Rico.
2. That...Felisa Rincón de Gautier (also known as Doña Fela) was the first woman to be elected as the mayor of a capital city in any of the Americas?
3. That... in 1937,Óscar García Rivera, Sr. became the first Puerto Rican to be elected to public office in the continental United States and in 1956 he also became the first Puerto Rican to be nominated as the Republican candidate for Justice of the City Court?^[124]
4. That...Nydia Velázquez was the first Puerto Rican woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress?^[125]
5. That...José María Marxuach Echavarría was the only Puerto Rican to serve as the Mayor ofSan Juan, Puerto Rico under both Spanish and American rule? He served in 1897 for the Liberal Reformista Party and again from 1900 to 1901 for the Puerto Rican Republican Party^[126]
6. That...María Luisa Arcelay was the first woman in Puerto Rico and in all of Latin America to be elected to a government legislative body?^[127]
7. That...Carmen E. Arroyo was the first Puerto Rican woman elected to any state assembly and chair of the New York Hispanic Legislative Caucus?
8. That...Herman Badillo was the first Puerto Rican to serve in U.S. Congress?
9. That... the father ofJoaquín Balaguer, the former president of theDominican Republic, was Puerto Rican?
10. That... the mother ofJuan Bosch, the former president ofDominican Republic, was Puerto Rican?
11. That...Dr.Antonio Fernós-Isern, former Resident Commissioner, was the first Puerto Rican cardiologist?
12. That...María de las Mercedes Barbudo (1773–1849) was a political activist who was the first female "Independentista" meaning that she was the first Puerto Rican woman to become an avid advocate of Puerto Rican Independence,^[128] and that she was involved with the Puerto Rican Independence Movement which had ties with the Venezuelan rebels led bySimón Bolívar and who were against Spanish colonial rule in Puerto Rico.?^[129]
13. That...Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democratic congresswoman forUnited States House of Representatives New York District 14, is the youngest woman in history to be elected to congress?^[130]

1. That... "Why Do Fools Fall in Love", considered one of the greatestrock and roll songs, was written byHerman Santiago?
2. That... one of the most popular Christmas songs in the United States"Feliz Navidad" was written by a Puerto Rican,José Feliciano?
3. That... in 2003José Miguel Agrelot's radio show,Alegre Despertar (Joyful Awakening), held the world's record for the longest-running still active radio show, running non-stop for fifty-three years?
4. That... in the classic filmWest Side Story, an epic Romeo and Juliet tale about the rivalry between a Puerto Rican and Italian-American gang, the only actual Puerto Rican cast wasRita Moreno?
5. That... thereggaetón was developed in Puerto Rico and has since then spread to other places around the world?
6. That... aside from a strong presence in music, sports, literature, politics, television, radio, etc., Puerto Rico also has a presence in the voice acting industry with voice actors such asTony Oliver?
7. That... the myth of theChupacabra has its origins in Puerto Rico?
8. That... after the United States, Puerto Rico is tied with Mexico in hosting the mostMiss Universe contests and has thethird most titleholders following the United States and Venezuela?
9. That... theTeatro Puerto Rico, was for theLatino community in theSouth Bronx what theApollo Theater was to theAfrican-American community in theHarlem section ofManhattan?^[131]
10. That...Chayanne was the first Puerto Rican musician to reach number-one onHot Latin Tracks in1989 for his song,Fuiste un Trozo de Hielo en la Escarcha?^[132]
11. That...Marc Anthony was the firstsalsa musician to reach number-one onHot Latin Tracks with his hit,Y Hubo Alguien?^[133]
12. That...Scotty McCreery was the first person of Puerto Rican descent to win anAmerican Idol contest and that he did it in that program'stenth season?^[134]
13. That... the songs "Si Tú Me Besas" and "Ella Lo Que Quiere Es Salsa" helpedVíctor Manuelle become the artist with the most number-one singles on theBillboardTropical Songs chart?^[135]
14. That... the song "Sentimientos" byIvy Queen combines the Latin styles ofreggaetón andbachata?^[136]
15. That... the song "Te Regalo Amores" byR.K.M & Ken-Y reached #1 on both theBillboardLatin Rhythm Airplay andLatin Tropical Airplay charts?^[137][138]
16. That...Tito El Bambino received anAmerican Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers award for Latin Song of the Year for "'El Amor"?^[139]
17. That...Ivy Queen's song "Quiero Bailar" is regarded as influential as regardsreggaetón's mainstream exposure in 2004?^[140]
18. That... the music video for the song "Menor Que Yo" cost $60,000?^[141]
19. That...Casa Amadeo, antigua Casa Hernandez, located at 786 Prospect Ave., Bronx, New York, is a historic apartment building, listed in the National Register of Historic Places on March 23, 2001 (reference #01000244), which houses the Casa Amadeo music store, the oldest, continuously occupied Latin music store in the Bronx having opened in 1941? The music shop once belonged toVictoria Hernández, sister of the world-famous Latin composerRafael Hernandez. Mike Amadeo, a fellow Puerto Rican, purchased the business from Victoria in 1969.^[142]
20. That ...Despacito, a song written byLuis Fonsi,Ramón (Daddy Yankee) Ayala andErika Ender, received its one billionth view on April 20, 2017, after 97 days, becoming the second-fastest video on the site to reach the milestone behind Adele's "Hello" in "YouTube"? That it received its two billionth view on June 16 after 154 days, making it the fastest video on the site to reach the milestone? And with its 3.3 million certified sales plus track-equivalent streams, "Despacito" is one of the best-selling Latin singles in the United States?^[143]
21. That ...Nedra Talley a founding member of "The Ronettes", who were inducted into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, has Puerto Rican blood flowing in her veins from her father's side of the family?^[144]
22. That ...White Tiger a.k.a. Hector Ayala, is the firstPuerto Rican superhero in the history of comics,^[145] and Marvel's first superhero of Latino descent? The superhero was featured in the edition of "Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #19" which came out in December 1975. Did you know that he is also the uncle ofWhite Tiger Angela del Toro and the brother ofWhite Tiger Ava Ayala who are also Puerto Rican?
23. That ...Spiderman's mother is Puerto Rican? According to the story the new Spiderman,Miles Gonzalo Morales, was born and raised inBrooklyn,New York City^[146] to an African American father and aPuerto Rican mother.^[147]
24. That... Puerto RicanHerman Santiago,Joe Negroni,Nedra Talley andTony Orlando were inducted into theVocal Group Hall of Fame?^[148]
25. That...Anya Corazon, Marvel Coimics newSpider Girl is half Puerto Rican and half Mexican? According to the storyline her father is a Puerto Rican named Emil Corazon.^[149]
26. That...Puerto Rican based boy bandMenudo had millions of fans worldwide?^[150]

1. That... the father ofSt. Rose of Lima (Santa Rosa de Lima), was Puerto Rican?^[151]
2. That...German settlers inPonce established the firstnon-Roman Catholic Church in theSpanish Colonies? Yes, theIglesia Santísima Trinidad, anLutheran Church founded in 1872, was the firstProtestant church in the Spanish Colonies. See:German immigration to Puerto Rico^[152]
3. That...Bavi Edna Rivera is the first Hispanic womanbishop and the 12th woman bishop in theEpiscopal Church?^[153]
4. That... Puerto Rico has the largest and richest Jewish community in the Caribbean? and that Puerto Rico is the only place in the Caribbean with the three Jewish denominations ofJudaism, theConservative,Reform andOrthodox? See:Jewish immigration to Puerto Rico^[154]
5. That...FatherFrancisco Ayerra de Santa María (1630 – 1703) is considered to be Puerto Rico's first native-bornpoet?^[155]
6. That...BishopJuan Alejo de Arizmendi (July 17, 1760-October 12, 1814) was a patriot and the first Puerto Rican to be consecrated Bishop and that he was immortalized by Puerto Rican artistJosé Campeche in a painting in 1803?^[156]
7. That...FatherDiego de Torres Vargas was the first person to write a book about thehistory of Puerto Rico?^[157]
8. That... world-renowned religious minister and member of the Honorary Committee of The Presidential Prayer Team, Rev.Nicky Cruz was once the leader of a notorious New York City street gang called TheMau Maus?
9. That...Gothic churches are rare in theNew World, but that Puerto Rico has two:Porta Coeli, built in 1606 inSan German, andIglesia San José, built in the 1530s inOld San Juan?
10. That ... theMita Religion founded in 1940 byJuanita García Peraza, is the firstProtestant religion of Puerto Rican origin?
11. That... theCathedral of San Juan, Puerto Rico, built in the 1520s, is one of the oldest Cathedrals in the Western Hemisphere, and that it contains the marble tomb of the island's first governor and discoverer ofFloridaJuan Ponce de León?
12. That...Luis Cardinal Aponte Martínez,CardinalArchbishop Emeritus of San Juan is the only Puerto Rican to become a Roman Catholic cardinal?
13. That...Carlos Manuel Rodríguez Santiago is the first Puerto Rican, the firstCaribbean-bornlayperson and the first layperson in the history of the United States to bebeatified?^[158]
14. That... On August 15, 1982, Reverend Nilda Ernestina Lucca Oliveras became the first Puerto Rican woman to beordained as apriest in the Episcopal Church of Puerto Rico, and the first in Latin America?^[159]

1. That... in 1929, Puerto Rican nurseRosa A. González wrote "Los Hechos Desconocidos" (The Unknown Facts), a book in which she denounced the discrimination against women and nurses in Puerto Rico? The book convinced James R. Beverley, the Interim Governor of Puerto Rico, to sign Ley 77 (Law 77) in May 1930, which established a Nurses Examining Board.^[98]
2. That... the dentist who discovered the bacteria that causesdental caries wasDr.Fernando E. Rodríguez Vargas, a native ofAdjuntas?
3. That... the largest single-aperture telescope ever to be constructed is theArecibo Observatory located near the city ofArecibo in Puerto Rico?
4. That... according to an article written by Margarita Santori López for the official newspaper of theUniversity of Puerto Rico'sMayagüez Campus, "Prensa RUM", as of 2003, of the 114 Hispanics working at NASAGoddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, 70 were Puerto Ricans or of Puerto Rican descent?^[160]
5. That... on May 6, 2004,Joseph M. Acabá became the first person of Puerto Rican descent to become anastronaut and that in October 2008, he was the first Puerto Rican to go into space?^[161]
6. That... Dr.Nitza Margarita Cintrón, is the first Hispanic to be named Chief of Space Medicine and Health Care Systems Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center?^[162]
7. That...Dr. Félix Soto Toro is the scientist who developed an electronic 3D measuring system (APTMS) for theSpace Shuttle?^[163]
8. That... Dr.Juan R. Cruz, Ph.D., is a Puerto Rican scientist who played an instrumental role in the design and development of theMars Exploration Rover (MER)parachute.^[164]
9. That... Dr.Enectalí Figueroa-Feliciano, is aastrophysicist atthe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)^[165] who pioneered the development of position-sensitive detectors, and currently anastronaut applicant?
10. That... Dr.Orlando Figueroa a.k.a.NASAMarsCzar was the Director for Mars Exploration and the Director for the Solar System Division in the Office of Space Science at NASA Headquarters?^[166]
11. That...Olga D. González-Sanabria is the highest rankingHispanic atNASAGlenn Research Center, a member of theOhio Women's Hall of Fame and that she played an instrumental role in the development of the "Long Cycle-Life Nickel-HydrogenBatteries" which helps enable theInternational Space Station power system?^[167]
12. That...Amri Hernández-Pellerano is a scientist who designed the power systems electronics for the WMAP mission. WMAP is a NASAExplorer missionsatellite which measures the temperature of thecosmic backgroundradiation over the full sky with unprecedented accuracy?^[168]
13. That...Mercedes Reaves is responsible for the design of a viable full-scalesolar sail and the development and testing of a scale model solar sail atNASALangley Research Center inVirginia?^[169]
14. That... Dr.Miriam Rodón-Naveira;is the firstHispanic woman to hold the Deputy Directorship for the Environmental Sciences Division within theNational Exposure Research Laboratory and that she is now responsible for developing, coordinating and maintaining research and educational activities in support ofNASA'sDryden Flight Research Center mission?^[170]
15. That... Dr.Pedro Rodríguez, the Director of a test laboratory atNASA and inventor of a portable, battery-operated lift seat for people suffering from kneearthritis is the son of the late salsa singerPellín Rodríguez?^[171]
16. That...Monserrate Román, a Puerto Rican scientist inNASA, helped NASA build part of theInternational Space Station. She is the ChiefMicrobiologist for the Environmental Control and Life Support System project which determines howmicrobes will behave under different situations and in different locations, such as the nooks and crannies of the Space Station?^[172]
17. That... Dr.Victor Manuel Blanco, an astronomer, has the distinction of having a galactic cluster and the largest 4-m telescope in the Southern Hemisphere named after him?^[173]
18. That...Fermín Tangüis, developed the Tanguis cotton in Peru and saved that nation's cotton industry?^[174]
19. That... Dr.Pedro Beauchamp, The first Puerto Rican specialist certified by the American Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Board, performed the first in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique in the island in 1985?^[175]
20. That... Dr.María Cordero Hardy's research on vitamin E helped other scientists understand about how the vitamin works in the human body?^[176]
21. That... Dr.Mario R. García Palmieri, a cardiologist, is the firstHispanic to have the distinction of being designated a "Master" by the American College of Cardiology?^[177]
22. That... Dr.Isaac González Martínez, a urologist, was the first Puerto Ricanurologist and a pioneer in the fight against cancer in the island?^[178]
23. That...Fernando López Tuero an agricultural scientist and agronomist, discovered the bug (believed at first to be a germ) which was destroying Puerto Rico's sugar canes?^[179]
24. That... Dr.Eduardo Santiago Delpín, a surgeon, wrote the first book in Spanish about organ transplant?^[180]
25. That...Dr.Diego R. Solís, a physician, made Puerto Rican medical history when he performed the first simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplant in Puerto Rico?^[181]
26. That... Dr.Ramón M. Suárez Calderón, a scientist, cardiologist, educator and hematologist, carried out investigations that led to the identification of the proper and effective treatment of a type ofanemia known as tropical sprue, the application of complex methods, such aselectrocardiography andradioisotope, to be used in clinics and the identification and treatment of the disease which causesheart rheumatism?^[179]
27. That... beforeChristopher Columbus and theSpanishConquistadors landed on the island of "Borikén" (Puerto Rico), theTaínos who inhabited the island depended on their astronomical observations for the cultivation of their crops?.^[182]
28. That... theSchool of Tropical Medicine, was an educational institution created in 1926 by an act of the Puerto Rican Legislature, to further the research initiated by the Anemia Commissions and the Institute of Tropical Medicine on anemia and its causes? Did you also know that the institution existed as an independent entity until 1949, when it was integrated into the School of Medicine of theUniversity of Puerto Rico and its building is in the National Register of Historical Places?
29. That ... Dr.Yajaira Sierra Sastre is the only Hispanic, selected to participate in a four-month long, Mars analog mission funded by NASA. Sierra Sastre aspires to become the first Puerto Rican woman to travel to outer space?^[183]

External audio
You may watch Roberto Clemente's hit number 3,000here

1. That... before the arrival ofChristopher Columbus in 1492, theTaínos who lived in the island played a ball game called "Batey" in which the winners were treated like heroes and the losers were sacrificed?.^[184]
2. That...Roberto Clemente's hit number 3,000th was his last hit ever in the Major Leagues?^[185]
3. That...Roberto Clemente is the only Puerto Rican to posthumously be awarded both thePresidential Medal of Freedom and thePresidential Citizens Medal? The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the highest civilian award and the Presidential Citizens Medal the second highest civilian award bestowed by the President of the United States.
4. That... the youngest person ever to have won a worldboxing championship isWilfred Benítez?
5. That...John Ruiz, a Puerto Rican, was the first Hispanic world Heavyweightboxing champion?
6. That...Puerto Rico ranks third in the world with themost boxing champions in history, after the United States and Mexico?
7. That...Dick Versace, who is of Puerto Rican descent is the first Hispanic to become head coach of anNBA team?
8. That... the winning pitcher in the first everMajor League Baseball game played west of Kansas City wasRubén Gómez?
9. That...Teófilo Cruz is the first player from Puerto Rico and the Americas to be inducted to theInternational Basketball Federation (FIBA) Hall of Famer?
10. That...Carly Colón, known internationally by his ring name Carlito is the first professional wrestler to ever win a title in two separate debuts inWWE history?
11. That...Carlos Beltrán has the smallest ratio of at-bats between home-runs in playoff contention in Mayor League Baseball's history with a total of eleven homeruns in twenty two games and that he holds the record of consecutive playoff games with a homerun with five consecutive games?
12. That...Wilfredo Gómez won thirty two straight fights by knockout thus making him, along withDeontay Wilder, the world champions with the longest knockout streak in boxing history?
13. That...Jesse Vassallo lost the opportunity to defend his world records (200 and 200 meters individual medley) when the United States boycotted the Olympics in Moscow?
14. That...Juan Evangelista Venegas was the first Puerto Rican to win anOlympic medal?^[186]
15. That...Ernesto Pastor Lavergne was the first, and so far only, Puerto Rican bullfighter (torero) to gain international fame?^[187]
16. That...Juan "Chi Chi" Rodríguez is a professional golfer and the onlyPuerto Rican to be inducted into theWorld Golf Hall of Fame?^[188]
17. That...Ángel Cordero, Jr. is one of the leadingthoroughbredhorse racingjockeys of all time and the onlyPuerto Rican to be inducted into theUnited States' Racing Hall of Fame?^[189]
18. That ...Ron Rivera was the first person ofPuerto Rican descent to play in theNational Football League (NFL), to win a championship as a member of the1985 Chicago Bears, who wonSuper Bowl XX, and to become a head coach of an NFL team (Carolina Panthers)?^[190]
19. That...Emilio "Millito" Navarro (born September 26, 1905) was the first Puerto Rican to play baseball in the Negro Leagues and that at 102, was also the oldest living professional baseball player to have played in the Negro Leagues?^[191]
20. That...Orlando Meléndez in 2008, became the first Puerto Rican-born player to ever to play for theHarlem Globetrotters?^[192]
21. That...Orlando Antigua, whose mother is Puerto Rican, in 1995, became the first Hispanic and the first non-black in 52 years to play for theHarlem Globetrotters?^[193]
22. That...Pedro Montañez, also known asEl Torito De Cayey (The Little Bull of Cayey), considered by many to be one of the bestboxers in history,never won a world title? In his career he was 92–7–4.^[194]
23. That... Professional wrestlerPedro Morales in 1995 became the first and only Puerto Rican inducted into theWWE Hall of Fame?
24. That...Alfred "Butch" Lee, became the first Puerto Rican to play in theNBA when in 1978 he was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks. Lee was also the first Puerto Rican to play on the NBA play-offs as a member of the 79-80Los Angeles Lakers. He was awarded an NBA Championship ring, even though he did not participate in the "Finals" because of his injuries.
25. That...José Juan Barea made history, by becoming the first Puerto Rican to play in the "Finals" for a winning NBA Championship team, when theDallas Mavericks were crowned the 2011 NBA Finals Champions?
26. That ... In 1942,Hirám Bithorn became the first Puerto Rican to play in the major leagues?
27. That ... In 1980Alberto Mercado was the only Puerto Rican ("American" citizen) to actually participate in theMoscow Olympics?
28. That ...Herbert Lewis Hardwick a.k.a. "Cocoa Kid" was the only Puerto Rican member of boxings "Black Murderers' Row" and that he was the only Hispanic to win the World Colored Championships in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions? On June 10, 2012, Hardwick was inducted into theInternational Boxing Hall of Fame^[195]
29. That...Leon Day, a pitcher in the Negro Leagues who played for "Los Tiburones de Aguadilla" (the "Aguadilla Sharks"), loved Puerto Rico so much that when he was inducted into baseball's Hall of Fame in 1995 he was enshrined with a cap on his plaque that depicts him as an "Aguadilla Shark"? He is the only Hall of Famer to be enshrined with a cap of a team outside the mainland United States.^[196]
30. That...Orlando Fernández, a.k.a."The Puerto Rican Aquaman" is the firstPuerto Rican swimmer to cross theStrait of Gibraltar between Spain andMorocco?^[197][198]
31. That... the first time that aPuerto Rican Ski Team was sent to represent the island in an Olympic Winter ski competition was in the1988 Winter Olympics, officially known as the "XV Olympic Winter Games", celebrated inCalgary,Alberta, Canada?^[199]
32. That...Mary Pat Wilson, who participated in the 1988 Olympics Games, is Puerto Rico's first and only female Olympic skier?^[199]
33. That... On August 13, 2016,Monica Puig won Puerto Rico's first gold medal in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, exactly 68 years to the day whenJuan Evangelista Venegas won the first Olympic Medal (Bronze) for Puerto Rico in the 1948 Olympics celebrated in London, United Kingdom?
34. That... On October 28, 2018,Alex Cora, became the first Puerto Rican to manage a World Series winning team when the Boston Red Sox defeated the LA Dodgers?^[200]
35. That... Puerto Rican former boxerFelix Trinidad has a special issue ofRing Magazine dedicated to him?^[201]

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