Nat'l Puerto Rican Day Parade en NYC

Just in case you didn't know, this weekend is the National Puerto Rican Day Parade in New York City. Every year people from all over the country flock to New York City to celebrate not just Puerto Rican heritage, but Latino culture. And just in case you didn't know, every year the parade honors a certain state; and to my knowledge, this year PA is getting acknowledged!

Here's some history:

The first New York Puerto Rican Day Parade was held in "El Barrio" in Manhattan. Amongst its founders were; José "Chuito" Caballero, Peter Ortiz, Luisa Quintero, Victor López, Luis Amando Feliciano, Vicente Hernández, Angel M. Arroyo, Atanacio Rivera Feliciano, y Amalio Maisanave Ríos. Its first President was Victor López and it was coordinated by José Caballero. The Grand Marshall was Oscar González Suarez, Esq. Prominent personalites from Puerto Rico headed by then Governor Don Luis Muñoz Marin, attended the initial parade. Several Mayors from Puerto Rico, led by the Mayor of the Municipality of Corozal, Hon. Leo Cabranes also participated.

In 1995 we felt that it was time to expand this event to the national scene, reminding Puerto Ricans throughout the country of their heritage and fostering the positive image of our people. An example of the national interest in this expansion effort is the participation of delegations from thirty-one states, including Alaska and Hawaii in the 1999 Parade.

For a schedule of this weekend's events, click here.