A Brief History Of Puerto Ricans In New York

A city of immigrants, New York is home to over eight million people, many belonging to ethnic groups with colorful histories in the city. Hosting the largest Puerto Rican population of any city in the world, New York has a rich past with Puerto Rican immigrants, migrants, and eventually, natives.

One-time citizens under Spanish rule, Puerto Ricans began immigrating to New York during the 19th century, first as subjects of Spain and later as newly baptized Puerto Rican citizens of American dominion. In 1917, the group would undergo yet another transformation of identity; awarded American citizenship by Congress, Puerto Ricans were now permitted to travel freely between Puerto Rico and the U.S. mainland, run for local office, and serve in the U.S. military. Accessible air travel further enabled mass migrations of Puerto Ricans, who journeyed to New York City in order to explore their newfound identities in a new frontier.

Relegated at first to barrios in the furthest reaches of the city, the migrants quickly sought and gained footholds in New York. In 1954, the first native-born Puerto Rican was appointed the head of a major New York City political party. Just four years later, migrants marched in the first-ever New York Puerto Rican Day Parade, now a locally beloved annual tradition. Steadily, the group worked toward what many older New York-based Puerto Ricans recall as something of a heyday; in the 1970s–1990s, the city’s Puerto Rican population reached its peak, spiking at nearly 12% of the city’s overall population and almost 80% of its Hispanic population.

Today, New York boasts the largest Puerto Rican population of any city in the world, with the 2013 Census reporting 1,103,067 Puerto Ricans living in New York State. Naturally, the barrios have long since been left behind, and each of the city’s five boroughs houses significant Puerto Rican populations. Like many immigrant and migrant groups, Puerto Ricans have made major contributions to many New York industries, including arts, music, and entertainment, and have helped make this already great city even greater.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.