The Carnival

People in Ponce, Puerto Rico, have been celebrating Carnival for over 250 years! Each year the Carnival lasts the whole month of February with parades, music, and special events.

The Carnival is a special celebration before the Christian season of Lent, six weeks before Easter. During the Carnival, people make elaborate masks, dress up in costumes, dance, and play music.

The National Museum of American History is fortunate to have many Carnival-related artifacts generously donated

by collector Teodoro Vidal.

It all started at the Carnival in Ponce.

Alicia knew that there were drugs all over the place. Little did she know that by making an exclusive interview with

the Narcos, she was risking her life and the rest of her crew.

David wasn't her cup of tea. She couldn't stand the guy. On the other hand, David was a sweetheart. He was always

helping people in need.

He was usually called, GI JOE.

David had never cut it this close on a job before. His face and arms were covered in black paint. The black shirt and

pants he wore were one of his standard uniforms, ones he'd been wearing for as long as he could remember.

As he crouched down behind the small air conditioning unit next to the recently renovated house, he swore he'd

never cut it this close again.

Norma Iris Pagan Morales was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. Her parents, Juan Jose Pagan

Rodriguez, and Digna Morales Figueroa, now deceased, always helped her with her projects

as a writer and teaching career.

Norma had three siblings, Adelin Milagros Pagan Morales, Juan Jose Pagan Morales, and

Julio Manuel Pagan Morales. Adelin Milagros Pagan Morales died on February 17, 2023 and Julio Manuel Pagan Morales died on September 19, 1998. He was also known for his writing/composing skills.

Norma did all her academic studies in New York City, Puerto Rico, and Canada. She worked in the City of New York Police Department where she oversaw the full investigation of every new civilian and uniform member of the department.

As an Educator, she worked in New York City Bd. of Education, in Puerto Rico Bd. of Education as an English teacher.

She also worked for the Puerto Rico Army National as an English Teacher.

She has teaching certifications for English as a Second Language and Teaching English as a Foreign Language. She also has teaching licenses to teach the following:

1. English Literature

2. Spanish Literature

3. Communication Skills in both English and Spanish

4. Office Procedures= These classes consisted of basic filing to writing memorandums and full company or

organization reports.

5. Computers - Certified to teach Long Distance Learning

She has published Thirteen books: Proud of My Puerto Rican Bequest, Porque Soy Boricua? Poemas del Alma, Art in

Written Form, A Baffling Short Stories Collection, On Job in the Big Apple, Nature's Rage in the Caribbean, Puerto Rican Soldiers

Serving with Pride, Poemas de Ternura, and Violence in the City.