The Virgin Mary as Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia (Our Lady of Highest Grace) is the patron saint of the Dominican Republic. She is the icon of the Dominican people. Her feast is celebrated on January 21 with a pilgrimage to the Basílica Catedral Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia where the image is kept in Salvaleón, Higüey, Dominican Republic. Nuestra Señora de la … [Read more...] about Celebrate the Feast of Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia, Patron Saint of the Dominican Republic
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Celebrate Las Octavitas, the Puerto Rican Christmas Tradition!
Las Octavitas (the octaves) is a vestige of the "Octavas," the medieval Catholic tradition of celebrating religious events for eight days, for example from one Sunday to the next Sunday. The octave of Three Kings Day January 6 extends Christmas in Puerto Rico from January 7 to 14. Las Octavitas Sometimes two different aspects of an event where celebrated. Christmas … [Read more...] about Celebrate Las Octavitas, the Puerto Rican Christmas Tradition!
Celebrate Haitian Independence Day!
Haitian Independence Day is January 1, 1804. The Haitian national day celebrates the declaration of independence from France by revolutionary leader Jean-Jacques Dessalines. Haitian independence was a historic human achievement. Haiti is the only nation in history founded by people who freed themselves from human slavery. It was the first Latin American country to gain … [Read more...] about Celebrate Haitian Independence Day!
Celebrate Las Mañanitas a Nuestra Virgen de Guadalupe
Las Mañanitas is a Mexican folk song traditionally sung by family and friends early in the morning to wake up the person who is having a birthday. The mixed-race, Indigenous-Spanish, brown madonna, Our Lady of Guadalupe, is not only the patron saint of Mexico, she is the icon of Mexican identity. We accepted the colonizer's religion through her. The Virgin of Guadalupe … [Read more...] about Celebrate Las Mañanitas a Nuestra Virgen de Guadalupe
Mexico City Day of the Dead Parade
Mexico City's Day of the Dead Parade was founded after the fictional parade in the opening sequence of the James Bond movie "Spectre" (2015). On Parade day, people line up from the early morning. Dates and start times may change without notice. The Parade may start hours late. 2023 México City Day of the Dead Parade The 2023 Mexico City Day of the Dead Parade is … [Read more...] about Mexico City Day of the Dead Parade
Day of the Dead NYC 2022 Día de los Muertos is a Three-Day Family Celebration of Life
Day of the Dead NYC 2022 (Día de los Muertos) is a family tradition of remembering ancestors and tending their graves. There is nothing bad or scary about it. As a blend of American and European traditions, the celebration takes many forms around the world, including in Brazil, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Haiti, Philippines, and Spain. Depending on the country, … [Read more...] about Day of the Dead NYC 2022 Día de los Muertos is a Three-Day Family Celebration of Life
Celebrate India Independence Day!
Celebrate India Independence Day (from the United Kingdom) on August 15, 1947. It was the day when the Indian Independence Act of 1947 became law. Are Indian-Americans Latin? Indian Americans are generally not Latin. But if you live in the Caribbean, you know we are blended together. Workers came from India to the former British colonies after abolition. Trinidad … [Read more...] about Celebrate India Independence Day!
Celebrate Nicaraguan Independence Day!
Nicaraguan Independence Day is September 15. Nicaragua was home to several Indigenous civilizations including the Macro-Chibchan ethnic groups who ranged as far south as northern Colombia. Spaniards colonized Nicaragua in 1524. In 1609, the region became part of the Spanish Captaincy General of Guatemala which controlled Central America from Guatemala City. Nicaraguan … [Read more...] about Celebrate Nicaraguan Independence Day!
Celebrate Inti Raymi, Inca New Year
Inti Raymi is the Inca new year celebration that peaks on June 24. It honors Inti, the ancient Inca god who is represented by the sun, and was the source of the Inca king's power and authority. It's midsummer in the north, but midwinter in the southern hemisphere. Former Inca lands include coastline and high Andes mountains where it gets very cold in winter. The sun is … [Read more...] about Celebrate Inti Raymi, Inca New Year
Celebrate Honduran Independence Day!
Honduran Independence Day is September 15. Honduras was home to several Indigenous civilizations including Mayans of Copán. Spaniards colonized Honduras in 1524. In 1609, the region became part of the Spanish Captaincy General of Guatemala which controlled Central America from Guatemala City. Honduran Independence Day It commemorates the day on September 15, … [Read more...] about Celebrate Honduran Independence Day!
Celebrate Guatemalan Independence Day!
Guatemalan Independence Day is September 15. Guatemala was the central homeland of Mayan culture. Spaniards colonized the region in the 1520s. In 1609, the region became part of the Spanish Captaincy General of Guatemala. It controlled Central America from Guatemala City. Guatemalan Independence Day It commemorates the day on September 15, 1821 when a regional congress … [Read more...] about Celebrate Guatemalan Independence Day!
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day. ¡Viva México!
Mexican Independence Day is September 16. It celebrates El Grito de Dolores (The Cry of Dolores) marking the start of the Mexican War of Independence in 1810. The Origins of Mexican Independence Day On September 16, Mexicans and Mexican Americans celebrate a speech given by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla in the small town of Dolores Hidalgo in 1810. The Roman Catholic priest … [Read more...] about Celebrate Mexican Independence Day. ¡Viva México!
Celebrate Salvadoran Independence Day!
Salvadoran Independence Day is September 15, 1821. El Salvador was originally the home of the Indigenous Cuzcatlecs and some Mayans. The Spaniards colonized the region in 1524. In 1609, the region became part of the Spanish Captaincy General of Guatemala. Salvadoran Independence Day It commemorates the day on September 15, 1821 when a regional congress in … [Read more...] about Celebrate Salvadoran Independence Day!
Celebrate Costa Rican Independence Day!
Costa Rican Independence Day is September 15. Costa Rican Independence Day It commemorates the day on September 15, 1821 when a congress in Guatemala City signed "The Act of Independence of Central America." Costa Rica was fortunate in that it didn't have to fight a war to become independent. Federal Republic of Central America The original Federal Republic of … [Read more...] about Celebrate Costa Rican Independence Day!
Celebrate Chilean Independence Day!
Chilean Independence Day commemorates the declaration of statehood within the Spanish monarchy by a criollo junta on September 18, 1810. The catalyst was French Napoleon making his own brother the King of Spain. Chilean Independence Day NYC 2023 We're looking for Chilean things to do in NYC on Tuesday, September 18, 2023. NYC 2022 Celebrate Chilean Independence … [Read more...] about Celebrate Chilean Independence Day!
Puerto Rico Constitution Day is a Great Time to Visit Puerto Rico!
Puerto Rico Constitution Day commemorates the day when Governor Luis Muñoz Marín signed the first Puerto Rican Constitution into law on July 25, 1952. The Puerto Rican Constitution is especially important because the U.S. Constitution does not apply in Puerto Rico. Even though we are not independent, the day is sort of Puerto Rican Independence Day. It's as close to … [Read more...] about Puerto Rico Constitution Day is a Great Time to Visit Puerto Rico!
Celebrate Uruguayan Independence Day!
Uruguayan New Yorkers celebrate Uruguayan Independence Day on August 25. It marks the day in 1825 when what was then called La Banda Oriental declared independence from Brazil. In this context "Oriental" in Spanish means East, in the same way that the Orient is East of Europe. La Banda Oriental is the land on the East bank of the Uruguay River. The Uruguayan … [Read more...] about Celebrate Uruguayan Independence Day!
Celebrate Dominican Restoration Day!
Dominican Restoration Day commemorates "El grito de Capotillo" which launched the Dominican War of Restoration on August 16, 1863. The Dominican Republic has had a long struggle to be Free The island of Hispaniola, which is today shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic, has had a long struggle to be free from foreign domination. Taíno The island was the … [Read more...] about Celebrate Dominican Restoration Day!
Celebrate Ecuadorian Independence Day!
Ecuadorian Independence Day celebrates independence from Spain on August 10. On this day in 1809, Criollo rebels took over the Ecuadorian capital Quito. In Spanish, it is "El Dia del Primer Grito de Independencia de Quito" (The day of the first declaration of independence of Quito). El Dia del Primer Grito de Independencia de Quito The Spanish, led by Francisco … [Read more...] about Celebrate Ecuadorian Independence Day!
Celebrate Bolivian Independence Day!
Bolivian Independence Day commemorates the signing of a Declaration of Independence from Spain in what is now Chuquisaca, Bolivia on August 6, 1825. This was the beginning of the end of the Bolivian War of Independence. The next Bolivian Independence Day is Sunday, August 6, 2022. Bolivian Independence Bolivian independence is complicated because it took a long time … [Read more...] about Celebrate Bolivian Independence Day!
Remember the Battle of Boyacá, the Tipping Point in the Liberation of South America!
Colombia commemorates the Battle of Boyacá on August 7, 1819. A decisive defeat of Royalist forces by Simón Bolívar was the tipping point in the liberation of the northern part of South America. The strategic victory at Boyacá led to the fall of the capital, Bogotá, and the liberation of New Granada (roughly modern Colombia). This strengthened Bolívar and led to further … [Read more...] about Remember the Battle of Boyacá, the Tipping Point in the Liberation of South America!
Celebrate Peruvian Independence Day, 28 de Julio!
Peruvian Independence Day on July 28-29 is a two-day celebration of the Peruvian declaration of independence from Spain in 1824. Peruvian Independence Day in New York City The Peruvian Parade and Fesetival in Paterson, New Jersey, is Metro NYC's big Peruvian Independence celebration. The 2022 Peruvian Parade and Festival is in Paterson, New Jersey on Sunday, July 31, … [Read more...] about Celebrate Peruvian Independence Day, 28 de Julio!
Celebrate Colombian Independence Day, 20 de Julio!
Colombian Independence Day on July 20 marks the day in 1810 when protests in Bogotá, the capital, led to the formation of an independent government and ultimately to independence from Spain on July 20, 1819. Colombian Independence Day 2022 The next Colombian Independence Day is Wednesday, July 20, 2022. 2021 Colombian Independence Day is Tuesday, July 20, 2021. We … [Read more...] about Celebrate Colombian Independence Day, 20 de Julio!
Celebrate Bastille Day, Vive la France!
Bastille Day (la Fête nationale or le 14 juillet) is the French national day. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille fortress-prison which launched the French Revolution on July 14, 1789. There are normally celebrations on 60th Street and around Lycée Français de New York in the Upper East Side, at Le District French food hall in Battery Park City, in the new Little … [Read more...] about Celebrate Bastille Day, Vive la France!
Celebrate the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, Patron Saint of Colombia!
La Virgen de Chiquinquirá (Our Lady of the Rosary of Chiquinquirá) is a blessed image who is the patron saint of Colombia. Her feast day is July 9. It commemorates her canonical coronation in 1910, which wasn't made official until 1919. La Virgen de Chiquinquirá The actual Virgen de Chiquinquirá is a damaged portrait of the Virgin of the Rosary who underwent a … [Read more...] about Celebrate the Virgin of Chiquinquirá, Patron Saint of Colombia!
Celebrate Argentine Independence Day, Nueve de Julio!
Argentine Independence Day was July 9, 1816 when Argentina declared independence from Spain. Six years after the formation of the first Argentine government on May 25, 1810, the Congress of Tucumán declared independence for the United Provinces of South America which included present day Argentina and Uruguay. The May Revolution of 1810 in Buenos Aires was the beginning … [Read more...] about Celebrate Argentine Independence Day, Nueve de Julio!
Celebrate Venezuelan Independence Day, Cinco de Julio!
Venezuelan Independence Day is July 5, 1811. On this day a congress of Venezuelan provinces declared independence from Spain. Venezuelan Independence Day Venezuelan Independence Day marks the birth of the first independent country in South America. Venezuelan Declaration of Independence The Venezuelan Declaration of Independence was mostly written by Cristóbal … [Read more...] about Celebrate Venezuelan Independence Day, Cinco de Julio!
Celebrate Portugal Day!
Portugal Day on June 10 (1580) commemorates the death of the great Portuguese poet Luís de Camões. He wrote Portugal’s epic national poem Os Lusíadas in 1572. It’s about the opening of the sea route to India by the great Portuguese explorer Vasco de Gama in the 15th century (1497 – 1499). We commemorate his death because nobody knows for sure when he was born. De Camões’ … [Read more...] about Celebrate Portugal Day!
Celebrate Haitian Flag Day and the Unity of Africans and Creoles
Haitian Flag Day celebrates the creation of the Haitian Flag representing the union of African and Creole forces in Haiti in 1803. Haitian Flag Day Haitian Flag Day is celebrated on May 18 in Haiti and across the Haitian diaspora including in New York City. It commemorates the creation of the Haitian flag on May 18, 1803. The next Haitian Flag Day is Tuesday, May 18, … [Read more...] about Celebrate Haitian Flag Day and the Unity of Africans and Creoles
Celebrate the May Revolution of Buenos Aires which Began the Liberation of Latin America!
The May Revolution of May 18-25, 1810 launched the Argentine War of Independence. It was the first successful revolution in the Spanish American Wars of Independence. The May Revolution launched the Argentine War of Independence. which led to the Latin American Wars of Independence. It took 90 years to break Spanish control of the Americas. It all ended with … [Read more...] about Celebrate the May Revolution of Buenos Aires which Began the Liberation of Latin America!