This years events will take place on Friday April 26 – Sunday April 28, 2024
On April 17, 1797, a fleet of 60 British ships reached the coast of San Juan with the purpose of besieging the city and taking possession of the Island of Puerto Rico.
They disembarked along the shores of Boca de Cangrejos and seized Cangrejos (now Santurce), sustaining a strong attack on the island of San Juan from the east side of Laguna del Condado.
The military forces of the Puerto Rico Regiment, the Disciplined Militias and hundreds of Puerto Rican civilians came to defend the homeland from all parts of the Island.
After just 15 days they defeated the invading enemy, provoking their decisive withdrawal on May 2.
The battle became known as the 1797 Battle of San Juan.
On April 26 – 28, 2024 you can relive history with the Regimiento Fijo de Puerto Rico as they re-enact various battles that took place during 1797.
Period costumes, weapons and battle strategies will be on display as living history volunteers reenact life in 1797.
Schedule for 2024 (subject to change)
Friday, April 26, 2024
10an to 12pm : Living History at Castillo San Cristobal Demonstrations of 18th century civil and military life
1pm to 3pm: Tours through the streets and squares of Old San Juan
6pm: Recreating the legend of La Rogativa. Leaving from Plaza de Colón along San Francisco Street to the San Juan Cathedral.
Saturday, April 27, 2024
10am: Battle reenactment of the British landing on the coast of Cangrejos. Share with the public. Firing of rifles and cannons.
1pm: Battle reenactment of the British landing on the coast of Cangrejos.
7pm: Presentation of Period Dances Place: Plaza de Norzagaray at the entrance to Castillo San Cristóbal Participation of the Bayamón Municipal Band and the Period Dance Group.
Sunday, April 23
9:30am to 11:30pm – Castillo San Felipe Del Morro. Demonstrations of civil and military life of the 18th century >
1:30pm to 3:30pm – San Cristobal Fort. Demonstrations of civil and military life of the 18th century Rifle and cannon shooting demonstrations
1797 Battle of San Juan Reenactment
When: April 26 – 28, 2024
Where: Old San Juan, Ballajá Barracks to Castillo San Felipe del Morro, San Juan Museum, Boca de Cangrejos Beach, Pinones
More Info: Website
This is a great event for all the family but note that the main event includes loud noises from the canon and gun fire
4 Responses
The number of British regulars, marines, engineers, royal artillery, cavalry and West Indian militia, together with the Regiment of Lowenstein chasseurs who landed during the siege was not 600 men, as stated in this article. The land force which debarked amounted to closely 8,000 troops. Another 4,000 men, mostly sailors, remained on board the naval squadron and support ships to man the same while the two weeks siege lasted. No British general or enemy force in his right mind would have conceived of besieging a fortified city like San Juan with 600 men. Please correct the information presented in your article.
Hi Rafael, that was a typo, was meant to be 6000. Thanks for pointing out the error and for the extra info.
I recently traveled to Puerto Rico for spring break and happened to find an awesome artifact- what seems to be a VERY OLD button from a millitary jacket. When I visited Old San Juan, I found a way down to the shoreline in front of Santa MarÃa Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery (a route that the locals use to go surfing). While looking for shells in the small craters of the shoreline’s jagged sandstone, I found the completely intact button. It is green and slightly corroded, but completely intact. There is some sort of insignia on the front that I cannot make out because of the corrosion, but I believe that an expert could reveal the details of the symbol on the button. I showed this button to many of the locals and they all said it could be as many as 500 years old. I would love to talk to an expert about this, but I am having trouble finding anyone who can help me. I can send detailed photos of the button. Please respond. Thanks!
Cool have emailed u with some info
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