Grito de Lares in Puerto Rico Date in the current year: September 23, 2024

Economic and political problems led to foundation of the Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico by Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis in 1868. The committee's goal was staging the uprising against Spanish rule, that tensed the situation in Puerto Rico.

Initially the uprising was planned to begin in Camuy on September 29, but the Spanish found out about the plans of the revolutionaries. The plans were changed and the uprising began on September 23 in Lares. She Spanish soldiers suppressed the uprising very fast, nevertheless, Spain gave more political autonomy to Puetro Rico.

Commemoration of Grito de Lares was outlawed in Puetro Rico by Spanish and American administrations. In the late 1920s the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico staged minor celebrations in Lares to raise its historic value. In 1969 Lares was declared a historic site, but the observance wasn't given official status. During the recent years observance of Grito de Lares annually takes place in Lares.