Los Angeles Proclaims Oct. 17 as Celia Cruz Day
The Queen of Salsa is being celebrated by the Los Angeles City Council
FILE - In this Sept. 17, 2002 file photo, Cuba's Celia Cruz arrives for a tribute in honor of Mexico's Vicente Fernandez as the 2002 Latin Recording Academy person of the year in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles. Telemundo will air the first episode of "Celia", based on the life of Cuban singer Celia Cruz, on October 13. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)
Queen of Salsa and Cuban icon Celia Cruz was honored by the city of Los Angeles when it proclaimed October 17 as Celia Cruz Day. This comes during the celebration of her centennial as the beloved singer would’ve turned 100 on Oct. 21. The festivities included a performance by Cuban-American artist and founding member of hip-hop group Cypress Hill, Ulpiano Reyes known as Mellow Man Ace. Reyes said in a statement, “Being Afro-Cuban myself, it is a great honor to be here today and perform for Celia Cruz Day. I was blessed to call her auntie.” More celebrations for the new official day in the city included a live salsa dance performance from the LA-based, Stephanie Stevenson Latin Dance Studio and remarks from community leader Winnie Sanchez on the unity Celia brought among Latines in Latin America and the diaspora. Mexican-American LA Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez led a presentation Friday to proclaim Celia Cruz Day in the Council Chambers at City Hall. Celia Cruz Day not only celebrates the icon but also recognizes the impact of music and the role art and immigrant voices play in Los Angeles at large.
“Celia’s legacy goes far beyond her music — it lives in the people she inspired and the way she uplifted Latine voices around the world,” Councilman Soto-Martinez said.
This isn’t the first time Cruz’s legacy has been honored. The 2011 United States Postal Office stamp program commemorated the beloved singer by issuing a stamp in her honor. In 2024, she also made history as the first Afro-Latina featured on a U.S. quarter as part of the American Women’s Quarters Program. In honor of the centennial celebrations of the iconic a commemorative album entitled Cubana, En Vivo – 100 Años de Azúcar was released, additionally, a symphonic tribute to the Queen of Salsa, titled Celia Sinfónica is set for November 22, according to the Adrienne Arsht Center. The music streaming platform Apple Music’s Apple Música Uno radio staton is also celebrating the legacy of the late icon with a special tribute to Celia Cruz honoring her centiennial. The tribute includes voice notes and memories from Latin music icons from Gloria Estefan, Emilio Estefan, Sergio George, and La India—capturing the magic and joy of this trailblazer.
The Afro-Cubana singer had a career spanning six decades and has become a household for generations upon generation of Latine audiences. Cruz revolutionized salsa music as we know it today and broke barriers as an Afro-Latina in the male-dominated music industry. She captivated audiences across the globe and sold millions of records worldwide, earned three Grammys, four Latin Grammys and a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award. Some of Cruz’s classics include “La Vida es un Carnaval,” “Quimbara,” and “La Negra Tiene Tumbao.”
Cruz died in her home in Fort Lee, New Jersey on July 16, 2003 from brain cancer at age 77. One year after her death, the New Jersey municipality of Union City dedicated Celia Cruz Park during their annual Cuban Day Parade. She is remembered for her bold, flamboyant style and contagious joy which she poured out when she performed on stage.
“She showed us the power and pride of Afro-Latinas everywhere. Today, we celebrate her lasting impact and say happy 100th birthday to a true legend,” Councilman Soto-Martinez said in a statement.
