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. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover 30 days, beginning on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of the independence of Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within these 30 days. There are many resources and lessons for teachers at various sites, including PBS Learning Media, Smithsonian Education, EDSITEment, and the National Education Association.
The terms Latino, Hispanic, and LatinX are often used interchangeably. What is the difference?
Hispanic – refers to a person from, or a descendant of, someone from a Spanish-speaking country. This can include Caribbean countries, Spain itself, or other Spanish-speaking countries.
Latino/a or LatinX – refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a country in Latin America.
Latino/Latina – a term traditionally reserved for specific genders of male and female
LatinX – this is a gender-neutral term to be used in place of the gendered Latino/a
EVENTS
Curriculum -Grade 5 Latinx Civil Rights Case Studies (PDF) Slides
Edwini Rivera Maria Lopez Samuel Torres Dr. Olga Sarda Henry Padron Carmen Delgado Roberto Burgos
What is your school doing to highlight amazing LatinX leaders? Let us know.
Local Businesses
What are your favorites? Let us know and we'll highlight them here.
The PBS series Latino Americans premiered in September 2013. It chronicles the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos, who have helped shape North America over the last 500-plus years. You can view an introduction to the series below and view full episodes and resources HERE.
The Hunter College Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños has produced a poster series documents the history of Puerto Rican migration and the experiences and contributions of Puerto Ricans to United States Society. Links to the posters are below; an accompanying study guide and timeline were also produced.
Las Musas: Las Musas is a collective of LatinX women and otherwise marginalized people whose gender identity aligns with femininity, writing and/or illustrating in traditional children's literature. Their mission is to spotlight the new contributions of Las Musas in the evolving canon of children's literature and celebrate the diversity of voice, experience, and power in our communities. (Teacher Resources) & (Elementary School Educator's Guide)
Los Sures: Living Los Sures is a site produced over 5 years by 60 artists at UnionDocs Center for Documentary Art, LIVING LOS SURES is an expansive project about the Southside of Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Known by its long-term Latino residents as Los Sures, the neighborhood was one of the poorest in New York City in the late 70s and early 80s. [...] With the restoration of LOS SURES, a brilliant work of cinéma vérité filmmaking as a starting point, the project has developed into a collection of 40 SHORT FILMS, the interactive documentary 89 STEPS, and the cinematic people’s history SHOT BY SHOT, demonstrating new possibilities for collaboration between an arts institution and its surrounding community to collect memories and share local culture.
Listening to Puerto Rico Teach Out: Understanding begins with listening. But “listening” is not just about hearing people’s words: it also implies taking notice of, and acting on, what people say. Shaped by the individual experience of everyday life, the Listening to Puerto Rico Teach-Out invites you to hear many voices from a distressed but resilient island and discover how you can contribute to the island’s recovery.
Puerto Rico Encyclopedia: The Puerto Rico Online Encyclopedia is an educational project that is unique among the Puerto Rican Endowment for the Humanities’ programs and services. Its purpose is to support and spread knowledge of our history and identity as a people, as well as our collective memory. It is a free, online publication with information in Spanish and English that familiarizes both Puerto Ricans and other users from around the world with aspects of the society, history and culture of Puerto Rico, as well as the Caribbean region.
Latinos in Math & Science: A guide which includes a selection of resources for children K-12 on Latinos in science, mathematics, engineering, medicine, and related fields. It also includes resources for teachers on multicultural science education and science for English Language Learners (ELLs). Most of the sources are in English, with selected children's books and websites in Spanish.
Book Lists
Top 40 Children’s Picture Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage by Hispanic Mama
27 Books to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month – Scholastic
15 Picture Books That Celebrate Hispanic Culture – ReadBrightly
Read-Alouds
A Paintbrush for Paco by Tracey Kyle
Senorita Mariposa by Ben Gundersheimer
Proud to be Latino! : Food / Comida by Ashley Marie Mireles
I Remember Abuelito by Janice Levy
Mommy, Tell Me Why I Am Radiant by Sandra Gonzalez and Julia Rae Rodriguez
Dias y Dias (Days and Days) by Ginger Foglesong Guy
Dream Away Suena (BiLingual Poetry Book) by Julia Durango and Katie Belle Trupiank
Zombies Don’t Eat Veggies! By Jorge Lacera (In English)
Los Zombis No Comen Verduras! By Jorge Lacera (In Spanish)
The Empanadas that Abuela Made/ Las Empanadas Que Hacía La Abuela by Diane Gonzales Bertrand
Areli is a Dreamer, A True Story by Areli Morales
My Papi has a Motorcycle by Isabel Quintero
Videos
Hispanic Heritage Month Read Alouds Playlist on YouTube
Latinx KidLit Book Festival Playlist on YouTube
Learn Spanish for Kids – Numbers, Colors & More by Rock ‘N Learn
Spanish Greetings for Kids by Spanish Academy TV
Colors in Spanish by Language Learners