For thousands of government employees, this Monday will be a holiday. However, this will not be the case in all private companies. Why this holiday?
Since 1977, March 2 is the commemorative day to celebrate the American citizenship.
This 2025, the holiday falls on a Sunday. Nevertheless, Article 387 of the Political Code of 1902, according to amended, dictates that, For corresponding to a Sunday, the holiday will be held on Monday, March 3.
On March 2, 1917, the United States Congress approved the Organic Law Jones-Shafrothbetter known as Jones law. Through this legislation, American citizenship was granted to Puerto Ricans.
Subsequently, Law 5 of April 4, 1977 was promulgated. This statute determined that on March 2 of each year the advent of American citizenship in Puerto Rico would be held.
However, the legislation was repealed in 2000 after the approval of Law 53 of March 4, in order to establish the “Law of the celebration of American citizenship.”
More of beyond maintaining on March 2 as a holiday, this last statute officially declared the first week of March of each year as the American citizenship week in Puerto Rico.
Law 53, in addition, promulgated the public policy of the government regarding the activities that must be carried out during the week.
For example, as part of the festivities, the secretary of the Department of Education It must prepare and organize a “special curriculum that, through talks and conferences, eduque and instruct the students of the country’s public schools on the rights, benefits, prerogatives, obligations and responsibilities that lead to the citizenship of the United States, from a historical-social and apolitical point of view”.
Meanwhile, the Puerto Rican Culture Institute (ICP) must take the necessary measures for the organization and celebration of acts in tribute to the holiday, among other provisions.
