Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
PTSA Education Spotlight! Special Edition
September 15, 2020 - October 15, 2020
What is it? "Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America," according to the official government website.
Many Hispanic Americans trace their roots to the cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas -- including the Arawaks (Puerto Rico), the Aztecs (Mexico), the Incas (South America), the Maya (Central America), and the Tainos (in Cuba, Puerto Rico and other places).
Some trace their roots to the Spanish explorers -- who in the 1400s set out to find an easier and less costly way to trade with the Indies. Other Latinos trace their roots to the enslaved Africans brought to the New World. For purposes of the U.S. Census, "the month honors “the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.”
When was it introduced? President Lyndon B. Johnson first introduced Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, and it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.
Why September 15? That’s the date when five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua—earned their independence from Spain in 1821. Mexico, Chile, and Belize became independent on the 16th, 18th, and 21st from Spain and the United Kingdom, respectively.
Some More Ways to Explore and Celebrate Hispanic Culture
Latino Heritage Month Calendar & Cultural Guide
Celebrate with the Los Angeles Public Library
Sonia Sotomayor
On May 26, 2009, Sonia Sotomayor became the first Latina Supreme Court Justice in U.S. history.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Few Hispanic Americans have made a bigger impact in recent pop culture than Toni award winning Broadway hit-maker Lin-Manuel Miranda with his his musical Hamilton reimagined the beginnings of America told by all actors of color, whose ancestors didn’t have a say in how the country was built.
Isabel Allende
Attend a Virtual Festival!
Los Angeles Libros Festival?: A FREE bilingual book festival for the whole family
Un festival del libro bilingüe para toda la familia.
A free bilingual book festival for the whole family.
Streaming live on Facebook and YouTube.
Los Angeles Libros Festival will offer a full day of entertainment for all ages featuring Spanish-language and bilingual storytelling, performances, workshops, and award-winning authors. Learn more at the Los Angeles Public Library event page.