Holiday Origins
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America from these dates.
September 15 to October 15.
September is celebrated as a patrimonial month, and throughout Nicaragua, people hang out flags with these two colors.
Blue and white.
This Puerto Rican-Venezuelan activist was a loud voice in the fight for gay and transgender communities. She criticized racism and economic exclusion within the LGBT community.
Sylvia Rivera
Known as the “Queen of Tejano,” this singer was instrumental in opening doors for future generations of Latino musicians.
Selena Quintanilla-Pérez
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under this U.S. President.
President Lyndon B Johnson
In Mexico, the president recreates “El Grito de Dolores,” often called “El Grito.” This famous battle cry kicked off Mexico’s War for Independence from this country.
Spain
Through forms of art and music, this activist fights for his communities and grows the conversation around climate, racial, and economic justice.
Xiuhtezcatl Martínez
Putting a modern twist on classic styles, Roberto Lugo crafts these types of art pieces that feature themes of poverty, inequality, and racial injustice.
Ceramics
It was then expanded to a 30 day period by President Ronald Reagan in this year.
1988
he Age of Revolutions began with the American Revolution in the 1770s, and by 1836 all of Latin America, except for these two countries.
Puerto Rico and Cuba.
Born in Cuba, Ros-Lehtinen became a trailblazer as the first Latina elected to the legislative branch.
Congress
As someone who experienced the Chicano Movement, an era of Mexican American civil rights activism, this artist knows how art can be a tool to empower communities. Through murals, monuments, paintings, sculptures, and more, Baca shares the stories of people who have contributed to U.S. history yet are often excluded from its retellings.
Judy Baca
September 15 was chosen as the start date for one specific reason: it coincides with the independence days of this many Hispanic nations.
Five
Every year, on the night of 14th September, a symbolic torch of independence arrives from Guatemala to Cartago, the capital of this colonial country.
Costa Rica
The first Salvadoran and Latino in a professional role at the National Park Service (NPS), was deeply passionate about nature and wildlife. He led wildlife conservation efforts at this National Park.
Yosemite
Known primarily for his imaginative murals and paintings, this Bolivian-born artist was a great contributor to growing the popularity of Latino Art in the United States.
Antonio Sotomayor
These five countries declared independence on the same day.
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
Many of these movements occurred from the late 1700s to the mid-1800s when several countries fought for and gained their independence in what we now call the________________.
The Age of Revolutions
This actor is an award-winning composer, playwright, and actor known for being the creator and original star of Broadway’s Tony-winning musicals “Hamilton” and “In the Heights.”
Lin Manuel-Miranda
A top crossover artist, this Latin pop star combines Latin rhythms, ballads, and mainstream pop music to further shape the diverse musical landscape in the United States.
Marc Anthony