COMMEMORATION OF THE 1797 BRITISH ATTACK ON SAN JUAN

Date: April 8, 2010
Contact: Dilcia Gonzalez, 787/729-6777 ext 239

San Juan National Historic Site will host a series of activities from April 23 - 25, 2010 to commemorate the 1797 British Attack on San Juan.  Under the command of General Ralph Abercromby, in April 1797, the British made a third and final attempt to take Puerto Rico, the coveted Key to the Indies and Gateway to the New World, from Spain.  The British were defeated in 13 days, by a meager force of Spanish defenders which included a mix of local recruits and militia, peasants, paroled prisoners and French privateers with the impregnable defense system of Old San Juan behind them.

Living history groups from Puerto Rico, the United States, Canada and Europe representing 18^th century Spanish, British, French and German military units will be in San Juan for the commemorative activities which begin on Friday April 23 at 9:30 am with historic black powder firing demonstrations in front of Castillo San Felipe del Morro.  The regiments will assemble at 3:30pm Friday to march from El Morro along Calle Norzagaray to Castillo San Cristóbal where Superintendent Walter Chavez will formally welcome the participants.  Historic military drill demonstrations will take place Saturday, April 24, throughout the day on the grounds of and inside El Morro.  A historic military camp will also be featured on the grounds of El Morro.  An interpretive, ranger guided program will be presented on both Friday and Saturday nights in the encampment at 7:30pm.  On Sunday, from 9:30-10:30am, a musket firing drill demonstration will take place in the outer defense of Castillo San Cristobal.  Additional activities will be held at various locations throughout San Juan on Sunday April 25^th.  

The public is welcome to attend all commemorative activities which are free of charge.  In addition, entrance fees to the fortifications will be waived from April 17 - 25 for the celebration of “National Park Week” throughout the country. 

San Juan National Historic Site is comprised of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal, Fort San Juan de La Cruz (El Cañuelo), the San Juan Gate, and most of the City Wall. The site is open everyday, except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.  Admission to San Juan NHS is $3 for adults for one fortification and $5 for both; free for those 15 and under.

For additional information please call [phone].