Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 - October 15
Celebrate & Lift Up!
Fiestas Patrias
This year, El Grito Weekend commemorates 200 years of the consummation of the Independence of Mexico in 1821, 500 years of the Spanish conquest of Mexico, and 700 years of the establishment of the great city of Tenochtitlan. Find more resources on the Library of Congress website.
T.E.A. Hispanic Heritage Month Newsletter
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans who trace their heritage to Latin America or Spain. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. The following websites provide instructional materials, activities, and lessons that can be used to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and to support instruction in Ethnic Studies: Mexican American Studies.
National Museum of the American Latino
Congress enacted legislation in 2020 to establish an American Latino Museum in Washington, DC. The new museum will be the cornerstone for visitors to learn how Latinos have contributed and continue to contribute to U.S. art, history, culture, and science. The museum’s website includes a dedicated page for Hispanic Heritage Month Resources, along with videos, online exhibits, and bilingual resources about the contributions of Hispanic-Americans in science, arts, literature, and the military.
Texas State Historical Association Handbook of Texas
The Texas State Historical Association’s online handbook includes much valuable content for Hispanic Heritage Month, especially articles about the history and heritage of Mexican Americans. Many of these articles were authored by Dr. Félix D. Almaráz Jr., a pioneer in Mexican-American studies who taught at Angelo State University for 42 years and wrote many books contributing to the field of Mexican-American studies.
Texas Historical Commission Hispanic Heritage
The Texas Historical Commission Hispanic Heritage website provides resources and videos highlighting Hispanic heritage and influences at different periods of Texas history. This site also provides access to the Texas Time Travel website and the travel guide Hispanic Texans: Journey from Empire to Democracy.
U.S. Department of Education: Hispanic Heritage Month
This United States Department of Education website is dedicated to Hispanic Heritage Month and its history. The site includes resources from a variety of government entities with dedicated resources to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, such as National Park Services, NASA, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Library of Congress: National Hispanic Heritage Month
This website, hosted by The Library of Congress, combines multiple resources dedicated to National Hispanic Heritage Month. This site provides access to multiple websites that include historical documents, videos, online exhibits, and bilingual blogs about the contributions of Hispanic Americans in science, arts, literature, and the military.
National Park Service: National Hispanic Heritage Month
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Its web page for Hispanic Heritage Month highlights just some of the properties that exemplify the contributions of Hispanic culture and achievement.
PBS Hispanic Heritage Month
The Public Broadcasting Service has collected a variety of media resources highlighting Hispanic Americans. The website includes on-demand videos, profiles, and music resources focused on the contributions of Hispanic Americans.
Hispanic and Latino Heritage and History in the United States
This website, provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), offers a teacher's guide that brings together resources created during NEH Summer Seminars and Institutes, lesson plans for K-12 classrooms, and think pieces on events and experiences across Hispanic history and heritage.
National Education Association
Latino Heritage Internship Program
National Parks Service: Hispanic Heritage & Archeology
Archeological sites reveal chapters of this heritage, from early exploration and commerce on the high seas, to the building of mission churches and disruption of Native peoples, to everyday life in families and communities.
Hispanic Heritage Foundation
The Youth Awards was founded in 1998 by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. Now entering its 23rd year, the Youth Awards honors Latino high school seniors who excel in the classroom and community and for their excellence in various categories including: Business & Finances, Community Service, Entrepreneurship, Education, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, Public Service, Social Justice, and Technology.
Gold, Silver and Bronze recipients are selected in each category and receive a one-time grant to fund their college education or to fund a community service effort that tackles a social issue.
The Chili Queens
The Chili Queens filled the plaza air with the smell of delicious and injected their Mexican culture into the daily lives of many. This Texas Monthly article on The Chili Queens .... NPR also reports on the Chili Queens and their impact. For a full history of the Chili Queens in San Antonio, read this research from St. Mary's University.
Mexican American Migrations and Communities
What were the experiences of Mexican Americans in the 19th and 20th centuries? What challenges did they face? What communities, institutions, and culture did they create? What records and documents were left of their lives, and what were some reasons for the gaps in the record? There is no single Mexican American story, but rather multiple ones that primary sources can help illuminate. (Library of Congress)
Image credit: Image Credit: (Library of Congress)
Library of Congress
Mexican Cultural Institute of San Antonio
Located at the Hemisfair Park in Downtown San Antonio, the Mexican Cultural Institute offers a wide array of artistic, academic and cultural activities.
Since its creation in 1968, the Mexican Cultural Institute has organized numerous events and exhibits to broadcast and promote the cultural and esthetic richness of Mexican arts and traditions.
With exhibitions, seminars, and performances, the Institute has become an iconic cultural reference in San Antonio and the region.
El Mercado
Ana Villarreal Simpson
Education Service Center, Region 20
Email: Ana.VillarrealSimpson@ESC20.net
Website: https://www.esc20.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=1668342&type=d&pREC_ID=1818152
Location: 1314 Hines, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-370-5405