The birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos is observed in Puerto Rico on the second Monday of January. Originally celebrated on January 11, this public holiday honors Hostos, a prominent Puerto Rican philosopher, educator, lawyer, and independence advocate, who was born on January 11, 1839. Despite his efforts to promote Puerto Rican independence and the idea of an Antillean Confederation, his vision was not widely embraced during his lifetime. The holiday recognizes his contributions to education and advocacy for independence, even though he could not achieve his goals. In Puerto Rico, institutions such as a local international airport, a university, and a school of law are named in his honor, reflecting his lasting impact on the region.