The Spanish-American War had been raging on for months, and Spain was struggling to maintain its grip on its colonies. On October 18, 1898, the United States and Spain signed the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the war and marking a significant shift in global power dynamics. As part of the treaty, Spain ceded Puerto Rico, along with Guam and the Philippines, to the United States. This acquisition not only expanded U.S. territory but also marked the country's emergence as a global power. For Puerto Rico, this meant a new era of American rule, which would shape the island's politics, economy, and culture for generations to come.