Spanish is the official language and English resides as a second language of the Government of Puerto Rico. Spanish has been an official language in Puerto Rico since it was colonized in the 15th century. English, on the other hand, was first introduced as an official language when the United States occupied the island during the Spanish–American War (1898). Since then, the Puerto Rican government has declared Spanish an official language on several occasions while removing it from that status on as many occasions.