U.S. Naval Bombardment of San Juan (1898)

The U.S. invasion of Puerto Rico began with a naval bombardment of San Juan on May 12, 1898. Rear Admiral William T. Sampson's fleet of seven warships shelled the city for approximately three hours in the early morning, targeting the Spanish fortifications of El Morro and San Cristóbal.

The bombardment killed approximately 6 soldiers and 7 civilians, wounded dozens more, and damaged numerous civilian buildings including the San Juan Cathedral. The attack achieved little military objective — the fortifications sustained minimal damage — but it announced the U.S. intention to seize the island.

The land invasion began on July 25, 1898, when General Nelson A. Miles landed at Guánica on the southern coast with approximately 3,300 troops. Miles chose Guánica rather than San Juan to avoid the fortifications and to move through the less-defended southern and western regions.

The invasion met minimal resistance — Spain's forces in Puerto Rico numbered only about 8,000 regular troops and 9,000 volunteers, many poorly equipped. Some Puerto Ricans initially welcomed the Americans, hoping U.S. rule would bring democratic reforms. The military campaign lasted only 19 days before the armistice was signed on August 13, 1898.

General Miles's proclamation upon landing stated: "We have come to promote your prosperity and to bestow upon you the immunities and blessings of the liberal institutions of our government." This promise was systematically broken over the following 127 years.