Muñoz Marín, Luis, << moo NYOHS mah REEN, loo EES >> (1898-1980), was the first elected governor of Puerto Rico and its chief political leader for over 25 years. Previous governors had been appointed by the President of the United States. Muñoz Marín served as governor from 1949 to 1965. Under his leadership, Puerto Rico became a self-governing commonwealth of the United States in 1952. He also began Operation Bootstrap, a comprehensive development program that brought land reform, roads, and schools to neglected areas of Puerto Rico (see Puerto Rico (Building a democracy) ).
Muñoz Marín was born on Feb. 18, 1898, in San Juan. He studied law in the United States. In 1938, he organized the Popular Democratic Party in Puerto Rico. Muñoz Marín died on April 30, 1980.
