Philippine Independence Day Parade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philippine Independence Day Parade |
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Philippine Independence Day Parade 2013 banner, on Madison Avenue in New York City
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| Also called | Philippine Day Parade, Parada ng Kalayaan |
| Observed by | Filipino people around the world, particularly Filipino Americans |
| Type | Filipino, Filipino American, Overseas Filipino Cultural |
| Significance | The celebration of the Philippine Declaration of Independence from Spain in 1898 |
| 2024 date | June 2, 2024 |
| 2025 date | June 1, 2025 |
The Philippine Independence Day Parade is a huge celebration held every year. The biggest one in the world outside of the Philippines takes place in New York City. It happens on the first Sunday of June along the famous Madison Avenue in Manhattan.
The parade is a colorful and exciting way to share the Philippine culture with everyone. It also helps raise money for good causes in both the Philippines and the United States. Many important people, like American politicians and Filipino celebrities, attend the parade. They know that the Filipino community in and around New York is large and important.
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Why is Philippine Independence Day Celebrated?
Philippine Independence Day is a major holiday for Filipinos everywhere. It marks the day on June 12, 1898, when the Philippines declared its independence from Spain.
For many Filipino Americans, celebrating this day is a way to connect with their history and culture. In the past, it wasn't as widely celebrated in the U.S. But today, it has become a very important event for Filipino communities across the country.
The Giant Parade in New York City
The parade in New York City is the largest of its kind in the United States. Every year, it brings together over 200,000 people who come to watch the floats, dancers, and marching bands.
The parade is a chance for Filipinos to show pride in their heritage. It's a day filled with music, food, and fun for the whole family. The 2025 parade took place on June 1, continuing its tradition of being on the first Sunday of the month.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the parades for 2020 and 2021 were canceled to keep everyone safe.
Celebrations Around the World
New York isn't the only place that celebrates! Many cities with large Filipino communities host their own events in June.
New Jersey
In Passaic, New Jersey, there is a smaller parade in early June. Another big parade happens in Jersey City, New Jersey, on the fourth Sunday of June. This one celebrates Philippine-American Friendship Day, which is on July 4th.
Canada and the West Coast
- Toronto, Canada: Toronto also hosts a big celebration for Philippine Independence Day each year.
- San Francisco, California: San Francisco celebrates at Union Square. On June 12, the Philippine flag is raised at the San Francisco City Hall to honor the day and the city's large Filipino community.
- Seattle, Washington: Seattle's "Pagdiriwang Festival" is a celebration of Philippine culture held every June at the Seattle Center.
A Challenge in 2018
During the parade in New York City on June 3, 2018, some people were not allowed into a public plaza along the parade route. The area was blocked off. People who saw this happen filed complaints, but city officials did not find that any rules were broken. The event started a conversation about how public spaces should be used during big events like the parade.
See also
- History of Filipino Americans
- Demographics of Filipino Americans
- Filipinos in the New York City metropolitan region
