SPRING : PRIMAVERA: CELEBRATIONS OF RENEWAL: Calle Ocho: street festival with a salsa beat -- Easter: cascarones lighten up the holiday -- Dia de los Ninos / Dia de los libros: Spring brings appreciation of children (and reading) -- Cinco de Mayo: victory against all odds -- Dia de las madres: an American holiday speaks to Latino values -- SUMMER : VERANO: LIFE CELEBRATIONS AND POLITICAL HOLIDAYS: Cuban Independence Day: historic and ongoing struggle -- Feast of San Juan Bautista : patron saint of Puerto Rico -- National Puerto Rican Day: celebration of diversity in the city -- Nuestra Senora de Chiquinquira / Our Lady of Chiquinquira : patron virgin of Colombia -- Colombian Independence Day: Simon Bolivar's Crusade -- Quinceaneras, birthdays and weddings: life's biggest celebrations -- FALL : OTONO: ANCESTORS AND HOMELAND: Diez y Seis: a triumph over tyranny -- Feast Day of Nuestra Senora de la Divina Providencia: Veneration of a Caribbean virigin -- Feast Day of Neustra Senora de la Caridad del Cobre: the Copper Virgin -- Dia de la Raza: the flip side of Columbus Day -- Dia de los Muertos: celebrating Death, celebrating Life -- WINTER : INVIERNO: Advent, a patron virgin, and freedom -- Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe: Revered Mother for a native people -- Feliz Navidad! : Latinos celebrate unique Christmas traditions -- Dia de los reyes : reclaiming the epiphany -- Nuestra Senora de Altagracia / Our Lady of High Grace: Patron Virgin of Dominican Republic -- Dominican Independence Day: Hispaniola no longer