On Tuesday, October 5th, a plaque honoring Spanish martyrs who gave their lives during the American Revolutionary War was unveiled at Fort Greene Park. The tribute took place as part of Hispanic Heritage Month, which commemorates Hispanic contributions to U.S. history and culture.

The plaque was unveiled by NYC Parks Commissioner Gabrielle Fialkoff , joined by Consul General of Spain in New York, Caridad Batalla; Queen Sofía Spanish Institute Executive Director, Patrice E. Degnan; Queen Sofía Spanish Institute President and CEO of the Board of Directors, David Askren; Daughters of the American Revolution Manhattan Chapter Vice-Regent, Linda Rhodes Jones; Avangrid (Iberdrola Group) Senior Vice President – Chief of Staff, Manuel González Igual; Denise Felipe-Adams, Special Assistant to Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams; New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo; NYC Parks Brooklyn Borough Commissioner Martin Maher; and community members.

NYC Parks / Malcolm Pinckney

Parks created a replacement Spanish Memorial Plaque that honors the original while integrating with Fort Greene Park’s landscape. The new bronze tablet, funded by Spanish electrical company Iberdrola, is set into a natural stone boulder at the eastern side of the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument plaza.

The original plaque was presented by King Juan Carlos of Spain and dedicated in 1976 to honor the country’s bicentennial and “the memory of those valiant sons of Spain who fought, suffered and died for the cause of American independence between 1779-1783.” The plaque was later removed from its horizontal granite plinth because of its compromised condition and is now on view in the park’s visitor center.

“We are proud to unveil the new Spanish Memorial Plaque and honor the Spanish contributions to American freedom during the Revolutionary War,” said Commissioner Fialkoff. “Thanks to the support of Iberdrola and the advocacy of our partners, the replacement monument will convey the original plaque’s message with a more durable design that complements Fort Greene Park’s historic landscape.”

David Askren, President and CEO of the Board of Directors of the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute, said he is “proud to help raise awareness in the U.S. about the legacy and sacrifices of Hispanics who fought in the Revolutionary War and whose names cannot be forgotten.”

“On behalf of Iberdrola and Avangrid, we are proud to help restore this Memorial Plaque, honoring the lives of Spanish soldiers who fought and died for the cause of American Independence and recognizing the common ties that have joined the United States and Spain over the centuries,” said Manuel González Igual, Senior Vice President of Avangrid.

Additionally, the new Consul General of Spain in New York, Caridad Batalla, highlighted that “there exists a long historical relationship that unites Spain and the United States, and today is still maintained around democratic values and the defense of freedoms”.

NYC Parks / Malcolm Pinckney

“Place and period markers are so important. Without them the stories of those who came before us, making Freedom possible for all of us, would never be told. It is my pleasure to support these organizations, and my distinct honor to remember the Spanish who gave their lives in the American Revolution. To do so during Hispanic heritage month brings everything full circle to me. Today’s unveiling is one of the many reasons I am so proud to call Brooklyn home,” said NYC Council Majority Leader, Laurie A. Cumbo.