Famous Firsts
In 2009, this U.S. Supreme Court Justice became the first Latina on the Court...
Sonia Sotomayor
This energetic dance, popular in Puerto Rico, also means “sauce” in Spanish...
Salsa
Staple foods in Mexico are traditionally made from this grain...
Corn
This Mexican holiday on November 1st and 2nd celebrates and honors deceased loved ones…
Día de los Muertos
Machu Picchu, a wonder of the world, is located in this South American country...
Peru
This astronaut became the first Hispanic woman to go to space in 1993...
Ellen Ochoa
Known as the "Queen of Tejano Music," she was tragically killed in 1995...
Selena Quintanilla
This Spanish dish made with rice, saffron, vegetables, and seafood or meat originates from Valencia, Spain…
Paella
This festive event in Brazil, known for its samba parades, is considered the world’s largest carnival…
Rio Carnival
The world’s largest rainforest stretches across Brazil and several other Latin American countries...
The Amazon Rainforest
He was the first Hispanic person elected to the U.S. Senate in 1928, representing New Mexico...
Octaviano Ambrosio Larrazolo
This Cuban-American singer is known for hits like "Conga" and leading the Miami Sound Machine...
Gloria Estefan
A traditional Puerto Rican and Dominican dish has plantains as its main ingredient, with salt, garlic, pork, and broth...
Mofongo
In many Latin American countries, celebrating this holiday that honors the arrival of _____, children receive gifts on January 6th for...
Día de los Reyes - Three Kings’ Day
This massive statue overlooks Rio de Janeiro and is one of the New Seven Wonders of the World…
Christ the Redeemer
This Mexican-American labor leader co-founded the United Farm Workers union in 1962…
César Chávez
This Dominican genre of music and dance, often called the “heartbeat of the Dominican Republic,” is recognized by its fast-paced rhythm…
Merengue
This spicy sauce made with chocolate and chili peppers is a specialty of Puebla, México...
Mole
This Latin American Christmas tradition involves children going door-to-door reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter…
Las Posadas
This desert, stretching across Chile, is considered the driest place on Earth...
The Atacama Desert
The first Latino to serve as U.S. Poet Laureate in 2015...
Juan Felipe Herrera
This Afro-Cuban percussion style, rooted in Yoruba traditions, heavily influenced Latin jazz and salsa with its use of conga drums and complex rhythms…
Rumba
This South American country is known for its beef and traditional asado barbecues...
Argentina
In Spain, this tradition involves running through the streets of Pamplona…
San Fermín - Running of the Bulls
The Panama Canal connects these two oceans...
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans