August 6 is Independence Day in the Caribbean nation of Jamaica. This day marked the anniversary of the island’s becoming a separate country from Great Britain in 1962. The day is marked with song, dance, the flying of the Jamaican flag, and lots of delicious food. If you haven’t had a chance to visit Jamaica, it’s lush forests and long sand beaches are beautiful. Below are just a few scenes from the island:

July 25 is Commonwealth Day in the Caribbean island of Puerto Rico. This holiday marks the anniversary of the day the Puerto Rico constitution became effective in 1952. Although the United States acquired the island nation after the Spanish-American War, they did not permit self-rule until the 1950s.
(photo © atomische/cc license)

July 10 is Independence Day in the Bahamas. This nation, composed of more than 700 islands, became an independent state on this day in 1973. Previously, it had been a part of the British Commonwealth.
Independence Day is celebrated all over the country, with fireworks, feasts, and traditional Bahamian “Junkanoo” celebrations (as pictured above). Junkanoo is a combination of mardi gras celebration and West African music and dance, with a unique Bahamian touch. These street parties take place all over the islands, with the largest ones in Freeport and downtown Nassau.
(photo © Newscom)

The islands of the Caribbean love to celebrate the Carnival season, the weeks preceding the beginning of Lent. The festivities are in full swing this week. Some of the largest celebrations are held on the islands of Trinidad & Tobago, Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, and the French Caribbean islands of St. Martin, St. Barts, and Martinique. Other Caribbean islands celebrate carnival during the summer.
Below are some scenes from last year’s celebration in Aruba.