When do you have good chances to see thousands of flags around? In United States of America - on the Flag Day. This year on June 14, be prepared to see twice more! Especially in New York City cause Flag Day will coincide and fall on the same day as the 2009 Puerto Rican Day Parade – one of the largest Puerto Rican events in the world!
Being the notable ethnic phenomenon of the United States population the Puerto Ricans are passionate about their flag, their country, cultural traditions and keep them tight, the fact which is proved every year on the second Sunday of June.
The very first Puerto Rican Day Parade was held on Sunday, April 12, 1958, in Spanish Harlem of Manhattan, replacing the former Hispanic Day Parade. In 1995, the parade became incorporated as the National Puerto Rican Day Parade and expanded beyond the parade itself. Now it hosts over seven major events throughout New York City. Also there are dozens of other happenings that also take place the weekend of the parade that are not sponsored by the National Parade Corporation. In addition to the main New York Parade there are currently over fifty smaller parades that take place throughout the USA.
Every year the parade attracts many New York politicians, such as Michael Bloomberg or Rudy Giuliani as well as many political candidates running for office and looking for voters in local, state and national elections. One more of Parade’s trademarks are celebrities of the Puerto Rican descent. In recent years, the parade has honored several by naming them "International Grand Marshal" of the parade. In 2007 the Latino Star Marc Anthony had a privilege participating in the parade along with his wife Jennifer Lopez and friend Ricky Martin. Among parade goers you will also find kings, ambassadors and godmothers – some real, other bearing a title just for the Parade like the “Parade King", "National Ambassador of La Salsa" or "National Godmother."
From its humble beginnings back in 1958, the Puerto Rican Day Parade grew to reflect not only a widening number of New York-born residents of Puerto Rican descent, but an increased awareness of Puerto Rican roots, culture, and tradition. More than two million spectators are expected to take in the festivities, which celebrate the heritage of Puerto Rico. In a testament to its popularity, the spectacle annually receives the highest local Nielsen ratings for stations in the New York area when it is televised for three hours on local channel FOX 5 with afternoon coverage on WOR Channel 9.
Below please find some of the Puerto Rican Day events which take place on, around or after June 14 you can find in our database:

Baile Del Pueblo (New York, NY) - Official National Puerto Rican Day Parade Eve Dance.

Aurora Puerto Rican Heritage Festival (Aurora, IL) - The Annual Puerto Rican Festival of Aurora has a long history of providing authentic Puerto Rican foods and sounds along with fun and games for the kids.

Puerto Rican Parade in Springfield (Springfield, MA) – 15th Annual Parade of Springfield residents of the Puerto Rican descent.

Puerto Rican Festival of Rochester (Rochester, NY) - 3 days of live salsa, comida criolla, cultural events, celebrity guests, and much more.

Puerto Rican Parade of WNY (Buffalo city, NY) – Annual Parade of Puerto Rican community in Buffalo

Regional Puerto Rican Day Parade (Philadelphia, PA) - the "Crown Jewel" of the Puerto Rican Festival in Philadelphia.