Ernesto Ramos Antonini
Encyclopedia
Ernesto Ramos Antonini (April 24, 1898 – January 9, 1963) was the President of the House of Representatives of Puerto Rico and co-founder of the Partido Popular Democrático de Puerto Rico (Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
).
. As a child, his parents taught him the importance of a getting a good education. During the day he dedicated himself to his school studies and during his free time he was taught how to play the piano
by his father who happened to be a musician.
After he graduated from high school, Ramos Antonini moved to the city of Río Piedras (which is now a part of San Juan
) and enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico
to study law. He paid for his school tuition by playing piano at a local theatre and in 1922 earned his law degree.
In 1937 he gained fame as a lawyer when he defended the members of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
who were accused of breaking the law after permits issued by the Mayor of Ponce for a peaceful march in Ponce
(see the Ponce Massacre
) were withdrawn by the colonial governor of Puerto Rico
at the time, General Blanton Winship. Upon the withdrawal of the permits, the police opened fire on the crowd in what became known as the Ponce Massacre
. He also became known as a defender of the working class by being active in the International Workers Congress. He appeared before the U.S. Congress and defended the Puerto Rican workers who were being abused by the American companies established in the island.
, Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón
, Antonio R. Barceló
and José de Diego
in 1904, which defended self government (autonomy
) at the time of his entrance to the party. In 1930, Ramos Antonini, along with Luis Muñoz Marín
joined the Liberal Party of Puerto Rico, successor of the Union Party, but now defending the independence of Puerto Rico. In 1932, he was elected to the House of Representatives along with Muñoz Marín to the Senate.
In 1938, Ramos Antonini became one of the co-founders of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico and was elected to the House of Representatives as a member of that political organization in the 1940s general elections. In 1945, he was named President of the House of Representatives, a position which he held until his death in 1963.
was adopted, creating the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico. Together with Dr. Ricardo Alegría
, he founded the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. Ernesto Ramos Antonini died on January 9, 1963 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
and Ivette.
there is an Ernesto Ramos Antonini theatre and there is a Museum of History located in the Plaza Ernesto Ramos Antonini in Mayagüez. On December 18, 1997, the Government of Puerto Rico
approved the Law Number 166 which proclaims every April 24 from then on to be known as "Ernesto Ramos Antonini Day".
Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico
The Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico is a political party that supports Puerto Rico's right to self-determination and sovereignty, through the enhancement of Puerto Rico's current status as a commonwealth....
).
Early years
Ramos Antonini was born into a poor family in Mayagüez, Puerto RicoMayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...
. As a child, his parents taught him the importance of a getting a good education. During the day he dedicated himself to his school studies and during his free time he was taught how to play the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
by his father who happened to be a musician.
After he graduated from high school, Ramos Antonini moved to the city of Río Piedras (which is now a part of San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
) and enrolled in the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
to study law. He paid for his school tuition by playing piano at a local theatre and in 1922 earned his law degree.
In 1937 he gained fame as a lawyer when he defended the members of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
The Puerto Rican Nationalist Party was founded on September 17, 1922. Its main objective is to work for Puerto Rican Independence.In 1919, José Coll y Cuchí, a member of the Union Party of Puerto Rico, felt that the Union Party was not doing enough for the cause of Puerto Rican independence and he...
who were accused of breaking the law after permits issued by the Mayor of Ponce for a peaceful march in Ponce
Ponce, Puerto Rico
Ponce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
(see the Ponce Massacre
Ponce massacre
The Ponce massacre occurred on 21 March 1937 when a peaceful march in Ponce, Puerto Rico, by the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party commemorating the ending of slavery in Puerto Rico by the governing Spanish National Assembly in 1873, and coinciding with a protest against the incarceration by the...
) were withdrawn by the colonial governor of Puerto Rico
Governor of Puerto Rico
The Governor of Puerto Rico is the Head of Government of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Since 1948, the Governor has been elected by the people of Puerto Rico...
at the time, General Blanton Winship. Upon the withdrawal of the permits, the police opened fire on the crowd in what became known as the Ponce Massacre
Ponce massacre
The Ponce massacre occurred on 21 March 1937 when a peaceful march in Ponce, Puerto Rico, by the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party commemorating the ending of slavery in Puerto Rico by the governing Spanish National Assembly in 1873, and coinciding with a protest against the incarceration by the...
. He also became known as a defender of the working class by being active in the International Workers Congress. He appeared before the U.S. Congress and defended the Puerto Rican workers who were being abused by the American companies established in the island.
Political career
In 1924, Ramos Antonini joined the Union Party of Puerto Rico founded by Luis Muñoz RiveraLuis Muñoz Rivera
Luis Muñoz Rivera was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist and politician. He was a major figure in the struggle for political autonomy of Puerto Rico....
, Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón
Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón
Rosendo Matienzo Cintrón was a lawyer, a member of the Puerto Rican House of Representatives, and a lifelong political contrarian. He favored Puerto Rican autonomy when Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony. After the Spanish-American War, when the island was ceded to the United States, he advocated...
, Antonio R. Barceló
Antonio R. Barceló
Antonio Rafael Barceló y Martinez was a lawyer, businessman and the patriarch of what was to become one of Puerto Rico's most prominent political families...
and José de Diego
José de Diego
José de Diego y Martínez , known as "The Father of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement", was a statesman, journalist, poet, lawyer, and advocate for Puerto Rico's independence from Spain and from the United States....
in 1904, which defended self government (autonomy
Autonomy
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political and bioethical philosophy. Within these contexts, it is the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision...
) at the time of his entrance to the party. In 1930, Ramos Antonini, along with Luis Muñoz Marín
Luis Muñoz Marín
Don José Luis Alberto Muñoz Marín was a Puerto Rican poet, journalist, and politician. Regarded as the "father of modern Puerto Rico," he was the first democratically elected Governor of Puerto Rico. Muñoz Marín was the son of Luis Muñoz Rivera, a renowned autonomist leader...
joined the Liberal Party of Puerto Rico, successor of the Union Party, but now defending the independence of Puerto Rico. In 1932, he was elected to the House of Representatives along with Muñoz Marín to the Senate.
In 1938, Ramos Antonini became one of the co-founders of the Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico and was elected to the House of Representatives as a member of that political organization in the 1940s general elections. In 1945, he was named President of the House of Representatives, a position which he held until his death in 1963.
Laws created by Antonini
Among the many laws created by Antonini were the following:- The law that created the Institute of Labor Relations
- The law that created the National Commission of Work Relations
- The Minimum Wage Law of 1956
- The creation of the Free School of Music of San Juan, PoncePonce, Puerto RicoPonce is both a city and a municipality in the southern part of Puerto Rico. The city is the seat of the municipal government.The city of Ponce, the fourth most populated in Puerto Rico, and the most populated outside of the San Juan metropolitan area, is named for Juan Ponce de León y Loayza, the...
and Mayagüez. - The creation of the Symphonic Orchestra of Puerto Rico
- The law creating the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico
Later years
In 1952 the Constitution of Puerto RicoConstitution of Puerto Rico
The Constitution of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is the controlling government document of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It is composed of nine articles detailing the structure of the government as well as the function of several of its institutions. The document also contains an extensive...
was adopted, creating the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Puerto Rico. Together with Dr. Ricardo Alegría
Ricardo Alegría
Ricardo Alegría was a Puerto Rican scholar, cultural anthropologist and archeologist known as the "Father of Modern Puerto Rican Archaeology".-Early years:...
, he founded the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture. Ernesto Ramos Antonini died on January 9, 1963 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Personal life
Ramos Antonini was married to educator Josefina Buonomo. They had two daughters together: JeannetteJeannette Ramos
Jeannette Ramos Buonomo is a former Puerto Rican judge and First Lady. She was the second wife of former Governor of Puerto Rico Roberto Sánchez Vilella, and served as First Lady since their marriage in 1967 to 1969...
and Ivette.
Legacy
The memory of Ramos Antonini has been honored by the government of Puerto Rico naming an avenue and public structures after him. In Barceloneta, Puerto RicoBarceloneta, Puerto Rico
Barceloneta is a municipality in Puerto Rico and is located in the north region, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Florida, east of Arecibo and west of Manati. Barceloneta is spread over 3 wards and Barceloneta Pueblo...
there is an Ernesto Ramos Antonini theatre and there is a Museum of History located in the Plaza Ernesto Ramos Antonini in Mayagüez. On December 18, 1997, the Government of Puerto Rico
Government of Puerto Rico
The Government of Puerto Rico is a republican form of government subject to U.S. jurisdiction and sovereignty. Its current powers are all delegated by the United States Congress and lack full protection under the United States Constitution...
approved the Law Number 166 which proclaims every April 24 from then on to be known as "Ernesto Ramos Antonini Day".
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- Corsican immigration to Puerto RicoCorsican immigration to Puerto RicoCorsican immigration to Puerto Rico came about as a result of various economic and political changes in the mid-19th century Europe; among those factors were the social-economic changes which came about in Europe as a result of the Second Industrial Revolution, political discontent and widespread...