Timeline of the Puerto Rican Community in Chicago
1980 On April 4, Carlos Alberto Torres, Luis Rosa, Freddie Méndez, Adolfo Matos, Elizam Escobar, Ricardo Jiménez, Ida Luz Rodríguez, Dylcia Pagan, Carmen Valentín, Alicia Rodríguez, and Haydee Beltrán Torres are arrested in the Chicago suburb, Evanston. Soon after, they are accused of membership in the clandestine Armed Forces of…
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1980 The Consuelo Lee Corretjer Day Care, named after a Puerto Rican revolutionary, poet, educator, and pianist, is established to provide a much needed bilingual pre-school for Puerto Rican children. The program for children is devoted to instilling cultural and social awareness. Read more here.
1979 On September 6, the Five Nationalists (Lolita Lebron, Rafael Cancel Miranda, Irvin Flores, Oscar Collazo, and Andres Figueroa Cordero) are pardoned by President Jimmy Carter. Their first stop after serving 25 years in federal prison is Chicago’s Puerto Rican barrio, which plays an active role in the movement for…
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1978 The Puerto Rican People’s Parade, organized as a cultural protest against the assassination of the two young Puerto Ricans in 1977, frames the Puerto Rican cultural experience within the language of social criticism and the discourse of possibilities. This parade is held in the heart of the Puerto Rican…
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1977 The Latin American Motorcycle Association (LAMA) is founded in Humboldt Park. Today, LAMA is a reputable international organization with chapters in Puerto Rico, Mexico, Venezuela and Cuba, among others.
1977 On June 4, the second Puerto Rican Riots erupt in Humboldt Park, spilling onto Division Street after the Chicago police murder two young Puerto Ricans, Rafael Cruz and Julio Osorio. 85 people are injured and 120 arrested.
