BY: Liliana Rocio, Sr. Editor for World Liberty TV, Monday Feb 27th 2023.
Dominican Independence Day on February 27 celebrates the Dominican Republic’s independence from Haiti in 1844. It often happens during Carnival. ¡Dominicanidad! Dominican Independence Day 2023.The next Dominican Independence Day is Monday, February 27, 2023.
Antonio Reynoso Brooklyn Borough President Making remarks
Independence Day is February 27, but in Dominican style, we celebrate all month long. After all, it took us a long time to get free.Our beautiful island has a wild history. Christopher Columbus came in 1492. Santo Domingo was the first Spanish settlement in the Americas. It was the main port of Spain’s early transatlantic trade.
Honoree Joselinne Minaya
When the Spaniards moved the trade to Cuba, the French took what is now Haiti in 1697. They took over the entire island in 1795. It was called Santo Domingo then. Latin Jazz musicians still call it that today. It makes sense because you say you are going to a city, like, “I’m going to New York,” not “I’m going to the U.S.”
Dr Adal outside at City Council NYC Steps
Haiti earned its independence in 1804 after the first successful slave uprising. The Spaniards came back to Santo Domingo in 1814.
Close to 200 people in attendance
Independence from Spain: In 1821 Santo Domingo creoles (American-born Spaniards) under the leadership of writer José Núñez de Cáceres declared independence from Spain on December 1821 and we were free for the first time.Núñez de Cáceres believed in using literature for social protest. That has become something of a Dominican tradition. We have great writers today like Junot Díaz and Julia Alvarez.
Faraones de Santiago Int’l NY Doing a live performance
We tried to join Simón Bolívar’s Gran Colombia (now Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador). It was a wild time in the Americas because creoles were trying to get free from Spain and everybody else was trying to get free from the creoles. After just two months of freedom Haiti took over the entire island in 1822.
Dr Adal at City Hall Chambers NYC
Independence from Haiti:In 1838, Dominican founding father Juan Pablo Duarte started a secret resistance movement called La Trinitaria (The Trinity) with Matías Ramón Mella and Francisco del Rosario Sánchez. The three leaders were the trinity. The movement grew into La Filantrópica (The Philanthropists) who used public theater to spread ideas of freedom.
Denaijah Pimentel doing the National Anthem of Dominican Republic
The Dominican War of Independence was a long guerilla war. The rebels captured Fortaleza Ozama, the fortress that guards the Rio Ozama in Santo Domingo on February 27, 1844. That is what we celebrate as Dominican Independence Day.
Honoree Wendy Poveda
The Independence Day of the Dominican Day Celebration took place on Monday February 27th 2023. Sponsored by New York City Council Speaker, Adrienne E. Adams , with Council members Carmen De La Rosa, Shaun Abreu, Amanda Farias, Oswald Feliz, Christopher Marte, Ana Sanchez and the New York City Council Black, Latino and Asian Caucus, at the Council Chambers at City Hall.
Honoree’s included: Eddie Cuesta, Wendy Poveda, and Joselinne Minaya. National anthems were performed by: Denaijah Pimentel , National Anthem of The United States of America and Sofia Santiago, National Anthem of Dominican Republic.
Honoree Eddie Cuesta with Council Members
Opening Remarks were by, Council member, Carmen De La Rosa, Proclamation presentations by Council members, Pierina Ana Sanchez, Oswald Feliz and Carmen De La Rosa. Live performance was by The Iconos dancing troupe and Faraones de Santiago International New York.
The Iconos Kids doing a live performance
Close to 200 people were in attendance , food and beverages were served. See More in our World Liberty TV, Political Channels and Blogs by clicking here.
