Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico Friendship Day
| Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico Friendship Day | |
|---|---|
 2016 logo | |
| Also called | Puerto Rico Friendship Day, VI-PR Friendship Day |
| Observed by | American Virgin Islanders |
| Date | Second Monday in October |
| 2023 date | October 9 |
| 2024 date | October 14 |
| 2025 date | October 13 |
| Celebrations | Jazz music, dancing, food, sports |
| Related to | Columbus Day |
Virgin Islands – Puerto Rico Friendship Day is a holiday in the United States Virgin Islands. It happens on the second Monday in October.
The holiday began in 1964. Governor Ralph Moses Paiewonsky wanted to show respect to Puerto Ricans who live in the Virgin Islands.[1] The day happens at the same time as Columbus Day to respect cultures for Americans in the Caribbean.[2]
Puerto Rico is about 40 miles (64 km) from the United States Virgin Islands and many Puerto Ricans live in the Virgin Islands.[1] In 2010, about 10% of the population of the United States Virgin Islands was Puerto Rican.[3]
Celebrations
[change | change source]Celebrations happen in early October, such as jazz concerts, dancing, a horse show, and events to show Puerto Rican and United States Virgin Island cultures.[4] There are also sports events like a 5K race, as well as a parade.[5][6]
References
[change | change source]- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "The New Generation Continuing the VI-PR Tradition". Virgin Islands This Week. September 23, 2016. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ↑ "October 2015 Holidays / Celebrations in the United States Virgin Islands". VI Department of Education. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ↑ "American FactFinder – Results". Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ↑ "Celebrate National Holidays with a Unique Virgin Islands Flare". VI Department of Tourism. Archived from the original on October 13, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ↑ "Virgin Islands & Puerto Rico over Half a Century of Friendship". Virgin Islands This Week. September 30, 2017. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ↑ McKay, Elisa (September 30, 2019). "V.I. and Puerto Rico to Celebrate 55 Years of Unity, Culture, and Friendship". St Croix Source. Retrieved October 13, 2019.