Puerto Rico: From Spanish Colony to US Territory
Puerto Rico: From Spanish Colony to US Territory John F. McKeon It is impossible to analyze the modern status of Puerto Rico as a US territory without first establishing the pivotal context of the Spanish-American War of 1898, as this conflict represents the definitive rupture in the island’s history that shifted its sovereignty from Spain to the United States. The war, culminating in the Treaty of Paris in December 1898, directly forced Spain to cede Pue
Unlocking the Vault: Danish Researchers Bring Virgin Islands' History Online
John F. McKeon Danish Archivists Asbjørn Hellum and Ruth Hedegaard are not your average tourists taking photos on vacation. The two historians are leading an effort to save Virgin Island history by digitizing records spanning from 1672 to 1917. They are photographing historical records ranging from plantation deeds to church records. Their intent is to communicate the silent voices of the enslaved. This work, funded by a private foundation and supported by the Danish Nat
Fire from Above: The Bombing of Puerto Rico
John F. McKeon The Puerto Rican independence movement is one of the longest standing anti-colonial struggles in the Western Hemisphere, spanning over 150 years across two different imperial powers. From the 19th-century revolts against Spain to modern-day political alliances, the movement has consistently sought full sovereignty for the island. Isolated historical events are rare, as history functions more like a cascading chain reaction. One development inevitably infor
What You Should Know About the Strait of Hormuz
John F. McKeon The Strait of Hormuz is the most vital artery in the global energy market, serving as the sole maritime passageway for over a fifth of the world’s daily oil consumption. Nestled between Oman and Iran, this narrow choke point connects the petroleum-rich Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and the open oceans, making it a permanent focal point of international geopolitics. Even a temporary disruption in its shipping lanes triggers a catastrophic spike in energy
Burial Rituals in the USVI
John F. McKeon Image:Funeral Procession by Ellis Wilson In the colonial Danish West Indies, the plantocracy’s denial of traditional burial rights was a calculated tool of "social death," intended to strip enslaved Africans of their ancestral connections and reduce them to mere chattel property. By prohibiting cultural customs —such as night burials, drumming, and communal grieving—planters sought to prevent the "demonic" or "mutinous" organization they feared these rituals f
A Taxing Lesson: Did the End of Section 936 Break Puerto Rico?
John F. McKeon For three decades, Section 936 of the US Internal Revenue Code served as the linchpin of Puerto Rico’s industrial strategy, reportedly transforming the island into a manufacturing hub by allowing US corporations to repatriate profits nearly tax-free. Section 936 (also known as the Possession Tax Credit) was a provision in our tax code enacted in 1976 ostensibly to encourage business investment in Puerto Rico and other US territories. The provision successfully
From Plantations to Projects: The History of Housing and Crime on St.Croix
John F. McKeon The relationship between housing and crime is a multi-layered intersection of socioeconomic stability, urban design, and public policy that may significantly shape the safety of modern communities. Historical theories often link low-income housing to increased delinquency. But is that an accurate assessment? Does that explain the rise and nature of crime on St. Croix? A closer look into the history of housing and crime on the Island may help. The history of h
The Virgin Islands: What’s in a Name?
John F. McKeon Columbus’ Second Voyage 1494 On Monday, October 7, 1494, Christopher Columbus was positioned off the coast of Africa with his fleet of 17 ships. He departed from Gomera, an island in the Spanish Canary Islands and embarked upon his second voyage to the Indies. This was done under secrecy to avoid the course of his route becoming known to the rival Portuguese. By Thursday, October 24, Columbus became concerned. Having traveled more than 1400 miles to the West,
Greenland: Where Everything Old is New Again
John F. McKeon Image: Danish Customs House in the Christiansted National Historic Site on St. Croix The idea of acquiring Greenland is not new. It's been around since the 19th-century and has since been defined by nearly 160 years of US strategic interests, formal defense cooperations, and reoccurring American attempts to acquire the Greenland itself. Some background on Greenland is required. Greenland operates as a self-governing parliamentary democracy. The local governm
