Griselio Torresola and Oscar Collazo, both Puerto Rican nationalists, sought to draw international attention to the cause of Puerto Rican independence by attempting to assassinate President Harry S. Truman during his stay at Blair House in Washington, D.C. The event unfolded as the two gunmen approached the residence on the morning of November 1, 1950. They fired upon a Secret Service officer, which triggered a fierce exchange of gunfire. Torresola was ultimately shot and killed during the confrontation, while Collazo was apprehended. The attack was significant as it came at a time when Puerto Rico was grappling with its identity and the implications of being a U.S. territory.Following the assassination attempt, Oscar Collazo was tried and sentenced to life imprisonment, sparking debates in Congress regarding his fate, with some advocating for clemency. The event was covered widely in the media, bringing heightened awareness to the Puerto Rican nationalist cause. The motivations of the attackers were rooted in a strong sense of injustice and a desire for self-determination. Though the assassination attempt failed, it ignited discussions about Puerto Rico’s political status in the United States and the broader implications of colonialism in U.S. territories. This incident marked a pivotal moment in the relationship between Puerto Rico and the U.S., as well as the rise of nationalist movements within the island.