Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico Friendship Day
Virgin Islands – Puerto Rico Friendship Day is a holiday in the United States Virgin Islands. It happens on the second Monday in October.
| 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 |
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
changeCelebrations 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- ↑ 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.