Eugenio María de Hostos Day in Puerto Rico

Eugenio María de Hostos y Bonilla was born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, on January 11, 1839, and did most of his studies in Spain, where he began his struggle for the independence of Cuba and Puerto Rico.

The figure and writings of Hostos are particularly interesting as an expression of the peculiar Antillean socio-historical situation of the second half of the 19th century, since he devoted himself, through theory and action, to work for independence, educational reform and the dignification of Caribbean culture. His work and ideas have influenced the intellectual discourse of Latin America for more than 125 years, making a tremendous contribution to Caribbean identity, culture and political development.

He died in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on August 11, 1903. He is buried in the National Pantheon of the Homeland in the colonial district of Santo Domingo. According to his wishes, his remains will remain in the Dominican Republic until his Puerto Rico becomes an independent Republic.