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On June 10, 2007, New York City celebrates 50 years of Puerto Rican culture in the United States. The National Puerto Rican Parade is the largest parade and one of the biggest cultural events in the U.S. According to the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, Inc.:
The National Puerto Rican Day Parade was established to create a national awareness and appreciation of Puerto Rican culture and its contributions to society. The Parade emphasizes the achievements of Puerto Ricans in all areas; including business, government, entertainment, and community affairs. It aims to encourage our youth to achieve their dreams and ambitions through education and hard work. The Parade's mission is to enhance the self-esteem of Latinos and use their pride to promote economic development, education and cultural recognition, and advancement.
The Parade accomplishes its goals by coordinating and producing various cultural events and parades throughout the United States. It began as a local event fifty years ago and has now become a national juggernaut of enormous proportions that brings together major entertainers, political figures, cultural organizations, community groups and corporate sponsors with millions of attendees and television viewers. The National Puerto Rican Parade is broadcast live and featured as a major story in all print, radio and television media.
Penguin is proud to have a roster of authors of Puerto Rican descent. From novels, to history, as well as savory cook books, and music—here is a list of recommendations that represent some of Puerto Rico's accomplishments:
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A Taste of Puerto Rico Traditional and New Dishes from the Puerto Rican Community Yvonne Ortiz Book: Paperback $16.00  add to cartRead more... |
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Harvest of Empire A History of Latinos in America Juan Gonzalez Book: Paperback $16.00 add to cartRead more... |
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The Rough Guide to Tito Puente CD Rough Guides Audiobook: Audio CD $14.95 Read more... |
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In celebration of Puerto Rican heritage and culture in the US, it is important to know the history of the island's culture.
Christopher Columbus, the Italian-born Spanish explorer/sailor, who is credited with discovering the Americas upon his quest for the East Indies, ventured from Spain and landed on the island of Puerto Rico on November 19, 1493. This year marked the start of his second voyage to the "New World", which included exploring more territory in the vast lands that now known as the Caribbean and North America. In his first voyage to the New World, he discovered San Salvador, in the Bahamas on October 12, 1492. This date later became known as Columbus Day, a National holiday celebrated here in the United States (U.S.) and in Spain.
Puerto Rico was originally called Boriken or Borinquen ("the great land of the valiant and noble Lord" or "land of the great lords") by the TaiLno Indians, who were part of the 50,000 that had inhabited the island along with Arawak Indians.
Columbus's fleet included 17 ships, 1,500 men and livestock from Europe. The TaiLno Indians welcomed Columbus and told him to take as many gold nuggets that he wanted from the river. They explorers called the island San Juan Bautista (in honor of Saint John the Baptist), and the town Puerto Rico ("rich port"). However, the name of the island was changed to Puerto Rico and the capitol later became San Juan.
Juan Ponce de Leon, Columbus's lieutenant helped make Puerto Rico Spain's most important military outpost in the Caribbean. He became Puerto Rico's first governor in 1508.
A lot has happened since Puerto Rico was colonized by Spain. Here are some interesting facts:
- Puerto Rico is representative of diverse cultural and racial backgrounds. When Spain inhabited the island, they forced the TaiLno into slavery. Some of the TaiLno fled to remote mountain areas and eventually mixed with jiLbaros (poor Spanish farmers). Slaves were also imported from Africa and immigrants from other European countries including Scotland, Ireland, China, Italy, France and Germany also migrated to the island. In the 1960's, thousands of Cubans fled Cuba to escape the Communist dictatorship of Fidel Castro. People from Puerto Rico's other sister island, the Dominican Republic., also migrated to Puerto Rico.
- In 1898, Puerto Rico was invaded by the U.S. during the Spanish-American War. Under the Treaty of Paris, Spain was forced to cede Puerto Rico, Cuba, the Philippines, and Guam to the U.S. This marked the start of the U.S.'s influence on the island.
- In 1917, Puerto Ricans were granted US citizenship.
- In 1948, the Puerto Rico democratically elected its first governor.
- On July 25, 1952, Puerto Rico became a commonwealth of the U.S.
- Puerto Rico is home to approximately 3.950 million people. It is one of the most densely populated islands in the world.
- An estimated 2 million Puerto Ricans have migrated to the U.S.
- New York City has is home to more Puerto Ricans than Puerto Rico's own Capitol, San Juan.
- "Nuyorican" is a term used by many New Yorkers born in Puerto Rico or of Puerto Rican descent who live in or near New York City. The term is a derivative of the words New York and Puerto Rican.
source: National Geographic Society
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