El Grito de Lares se ha de repetir, y entonces sabremos vencer o morir.

A revolt breaks out for independence from Spain in the town of Lares on September 23rd. Dr. Ramon Emeterio Betances and Segundo Ruiz Belvis, who is on a local committee of grievances set up by the Spanish government, create a Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico in January of 1868. The poet Lola Rodriguez de Tio is inspired by their efforts, and writes La Borinquena. (In 1903, this becomes the anthem of the colony as it is taken by the United States, but with less subversive lyrics.) Cells are organized across the country. The revolt begins after the proclamation of the Republic of Puerto Rico in September. It is swiftly crushed, and hundreds of rebels are executed. Some escape to Cuba to join the independence struggle there.