Last Sunday, June 9, The National Puerto Rican Day Parade took place on 5th Avenue in New York City, alongside dozens of other celebrations around the country. This year the theme was Boricuas de Corazon, with honoree salsa legend Tito Nieves.

We’re thrilled to share some photos from this remarkable march up Manhattan, where Boricuas from New York City and beyond joyfully honor their Puerto Rican heritage.

From that difficult but important beginning, the Puerto Rican Day Parade has become the largest celebration of Puerto Rican culture and identity in the United States today. We loved re-visiting some Puerto Rican day parade celebrations of the past, and we’re wanted to share some with you. Here’s Jerry Marzan covering the parade in 1989 along with footage from the very first Puerto Rican day parade in 1958.

And that’s why today it’s still so important to say it loud, and say it proud.

¡Yo Soy Boricua!

¡Pa’que tu lo Sepas!