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Manuel Fernandez Juncos (December 11,1846- August 18, 1928) was born in Oviedo, Spain of Puerto Rican parents. At an early age he and his family returned to the island where he was to spend the rest of his life. Juncos was a firm believer in the autonomy of Puerto Rico. He was also a distinguished journalist, poet, author and humanitarian.
Fernandez Juncos first wrote for "El Progresso" (Progress), a newspaper founded by Jose Julian Acosta. He also wrote for the following papers: "Porvenir" and "El Clamor del Pais". Fernandez Juncos was the founder of a newspaper with liberal tendencies called "El Buscapie". The "El Buscapie" became the most read newspaper of its time in Puerto Rico. It promoted la idea that every child should be entitled to a free education. He was also the founder of the "Revista Puertorriquña" (The Puerto Rican Magazine).
Fernandez Juncos joined the Autonomist Party founded by Roman Baldorioty de Castro and became its Secretary. Shortly after, when Puerto Rico was granted its autonomy from Spain, Juncos was elected and became the first Secretary of State. This was, however a short lived term because in less than a year Puerto Rico was to be invaded by the United States during the Spanish-American War and its government abolished.
As a writer, Juncos studied and wrote about the roots of the Puerto Ricans as a people. Among his most notable works were: "Tipos y Caracteres", "Libro Cuarto de Lectura", and "Canciones Escolares" (which he co-wrote with Virgilio Davila and Braulio Dueño Colon).
He founded the Puerto Rican Red Cross, which continues today to give humanitarian help to all those in need.
Fernandez Juncos wrote the lyrics to "La Borinqueña" which originally was a danza written by Felix Astol Artes in 1867. "La Borinqueña" became the anthem of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1952.
Manuel Fernandez Juncos died on August 18, 1928 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Many schools and the one of the most important commercial avenues in San Juan are named in his honor.
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