Manuel Fernandez Juncos
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Manuel Fernandez Juncos (December 11,1846 - August 18, 1928) was a distinguished Puerto Rican journalist, poet, author and humanitarian. He believed in the autonomy of Puerto Rico.
Juncos was born in Oviedo, Spain to Puerto Rican parents. At an early age he and his family returned to the island where he was to spend the rest of his life.
Fernandez Juncos first wrote for "El Progresso" (Progress), a newspaper founded by Jose Julian Acosta. He also wrote for the "Porvenir" and "El Clamor del Pais" newspapers. Fernandez Juncos founded a newspaper with liberal tendencies called "El Buscapie". It promoted a socialist agenda, including the idea that every child should be entitled to a free education. It quickly became the most widely read Puerto Rican paper of its time. He also founded the "Revista Puertorriquña" (The Puerto Rican Magazine).
As a writer, Juncos studied and wrote about the roots of the Puerto Ricans as a people. Among his most notable works were: "Tipos y Caracteres", "Libro Cuarto de Lectura", and "Canciones Escolares" (which he co-wrote with Virgilio Davila and Braulio Dueño Colon).
Fernandez Juncos joined the Autonomist Party founded by Roman Baldorioty de Castro and became its secretary. Shortly after, when Puerto Rico was granted its autonomy from Spain, Juncos was elected and became the first Secretary of State. However, in less than a year Puerto Rico was invaded by the United States during the Spanish-American War and its government abolished.
He founded the Puerto Rican Red Cross, which continues today to give humanitarian help to those in need.
Fernandez Juncos wrote the lyrics to "La Borinqueña" which originally was a danza written by Felix Astol Artes in 1867. "La Borinqueña" became the anthem of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1952.
Manuel Fernandez Juncos died on August 18, 1928 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Many schools and the one of the most important commercial avenues in San Juan are named in his honor.