Mariana Bracetti

Mariana Bracetti (* 1825 in Añasco, Puerto Rico, † 1903 in Añasco, Puerto Rico) was a Puerto Rican freedom fighter who fought for the independence of the island.

Life

After a failed first marriage, she met the wealthy businessman Miguel Rojas know who owned together with his brother Manuel Rojas coffee plantation " El Triunfo ". Bracetti married Rojas, got him coming and moved to the hacienda.

Manuel and Miguel Rojas were great admirers of Dr. Ramón Emeterio Betances, who stood up for the independence of Puerto Rico. " El Triunfo " was the secret core of the revolution and the brothers became the leaders of the revolutionary cell with the code name " Centro Bravo ". Bracetti was nicknamed " Brazo de Oro " (Golden Arm) and became the leader of the Revolutionary Council of Lares appointed. On behalf of Betances designed and sewed the first flag of the future " Republic of Puerto Rico ". The flag consisted of two blue boxes at the top and two red boxes at the bottom, separated by a white cross; top left was a white star.

1868 Grito de Lares uprising took place. After the capture of the city Lares revolutionaries Bracettis flag placed on the high altar of the Parish Church, thereby proclaim the Republic Puerto Rico.

The revolution failed, however, and all the surviving rebels, including Bracetti were arrested in Arecibo. Eighty prisoners died in prison, but Bracetti survived and was released on January 20, 1869 due to a grant made by the new Spanish government amnesty.

She died in 1903 in her hometown Añasco. Over her grave in the Plaza of the city stands a monument in her honor. In Puerto Rico also several schools and streets are named after her. In the U.S. there is a Mariana Bracetti Academy Charter School in Philadelphia and a Mariana Bracetti Plaza in New York City.