CELEBRITIES
She's a former Disney Actress and star of the hit TV show "Wednesday".
Who is: Jenna Ortega
They make up a majority of Latinx people nationwide in the US, as they are direct neighbors from down south.
Who are: Mexicans
Originating from Cuba and Puerto Rico, a style of music most known for their percussion instruments like claves, congas, bongos and timbales.
What is: Salsa
Often confused for the independence of Mexico, this was the day that the Mexican army beat the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
What is: El Cinco De Mayo
Olivia Rodrigo
Not Latina (Philippine)
She is a singer, producer, and actress who's currently on her last music tour to focus on acting. Known for her role as Alex Russo in Wizards of Waverly Place and Mabel Mora in Only Murders in the Building.
Who is: Selena Gomez
They hail from a beautiful island that borders Haiti and has the highest peak in the Caribbean. They're also 7.9% of the NYC Population (approx. 800,000).
Who are: Dominicans
A Latin pop genre that originated in DR in the '60s. It has a mix of African, Indigenous, and European influences. AND, the original term for it was "Amargue".
What is: Bachata
A period of time in which multiple Latin American countries became independent, and thus became a national US celebration of Latinx people and culture.
What is: Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month
Idris Elba
Not Latino (Sierra Leonean)
His real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, and he joined his local church choir at a young age. His mother played salsa and romantic Latin ballads throughout his childhood.
Who is: Bad Bunny
Making up 42% of Latinx people in Massachusetts, they also hail from a Caribbean island home to El Baile de Bomba, a significant tradition there.
Who are: Puerto Ricans
What is: Merengue
What is: The Bracero Program
Cardi B
Latina (Dominican)
He is famously known for his role as Joel in The Last of US. He rose to prominence by starring in Game of Thrones as Oberyn Martell. His next role is Mr. Fantastic in the marvel movie The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
Who is: Pedro Pascal
Hailing from the known birthplace of Chocolate, where ancient Mayans created versions of chocolate bars. They are the sixth-largest Latinx community, and second-largest Central American community in the US, with almost 2,000,000 people.
Who are: Guatemalans
Originating from Colombia, the original instruments used were indigenous instruments like drums and flutes, but European influences later introduced the accordion. Today, musicians use a variety of instruments, including electric bass, trumpets, congas, and the accordion.
What is: Cumbia
What is: The East L.A. Walkouts or Chicano Blowouts
Sammy Davis Junior
Latino (Puerto Rican)
His real name is Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, but his stage name comes from Puerto Rican slang for someone tall or a big shot. He's also known as El Jefe or The Big Boss.
Who is: Daddy Yankee
Most recently been the target of racist remarks from a former president. They hail from a beautiful island known for being the First Black Republic.
Who are: Hatians
Originating in the state of Bahia among enslaved and freed Africans the Portuguese had brought to Brazil to work in the sugarcane fields. It's Brazil's national dance, and a version of it was recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
What is: Samba
Known as "The first and only Mexican-American civil-rights case heard and decided by the United States Supreme Court during the post-World War II period". This was a landmark case that ensured equal treatment of Mexican-Americans.
Hernandez v. Texas
Antonio Banderas
Not Latino (Spaniard)