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Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15 – Oct 15) celebrates the culture and history of the Latin and Hispanic communities.
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual awareness event that takes place to celebrate the history, culture and contributions of the Hispanic community. Originally introduced in 1968 by Congressman George E. Brown, it has become a month-long celebration that is now internationally celebrated. Encompassing important events such as the independence anniversary for Latin American countries, Día de la Raza and Columbus Day, Hispanic Heritage Month ensures that society recognizes the incredible contributions of the Hispanic community throughout history, both to society and the economy.
History
In 1968, California Congressman George E. Brown introduced the idea for Hispanic Heritage Month, which began as a commemorative week.
Sept 17, 1968, Congress passed Public Law 90-48 officially authorizing and requested the present to issue annual proclamations deeming Sept 15 and Sept 16 the start of National Hispanic Heritage WEEK. That same day, President Lyndon B. Johnson issues the first Hispanic Heritage Week. The law called upon the “people of the United States, especially the educational community to observe such week with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
SEPT 15 was chosen as the start date because it coincided with the following Independence Days:
SEPT 15 independence Day in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
SEPT 16 Mexico
SEPT 18 Chile
SEPT 21 Belize
1987, California Rep. Esteban E. Torres proposed expanding the observance to a full month.
1988, Bill passed Congress and was signed into law by President Ronald Regan
1989, President George H.W. Bush became first president to declare National Hispanic Heritage month to last Sept 15 — Oct 16
Why is Hispanic Heritage Month Important?
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the achievements that Hispanic people have made throughout history and combats discrimination these populations continue to face. With only 3.4% of Latinos occupying positions in corporate executive suites and only 8% of private tech sector jobs, Hispanic Heritage Month educates society on the benefit of a diverse and inclusive world. Despite the lack of representation and discrimination that the Hispanic community continue to face, Hispanic Heritage Month is an impactful way of abolishing such discrimination.
Important Hispanic Figures
In the spirit of “pioneers”, here are a list of important figures in different categories that have pioneered their field and their heritage:
ART
Frida Kahlo
Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is remembered for her self-portraits, pain and passion, and bold, vibrant colors. She is celebrated in Mexico for her attention to Mexican and indigenous culture and by feminists for her depiction of the female experience and form.
Lin Manual Miranda
A Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy, Tony Award-winning songwriter, actor, producer and director, Lin-Manuel is the creator and original star of Broadway’s Hamilton and In the Heights, and the recipient of the 2015 MacArthur Foundation Award and 2018 Kennedy Center Honors. Mr. Miranda, and The Miranda Family, are active supporters of initiatives that increase the representation of people of color throughout the arts and government, ensure access to women’s reproductive health, and promote resilience in Puerto Rico.
FASHION
Carolina Herrera
Raised in Venezuela, Carolina Herrera arrived in the United States with her family in 1980. Inspired by her European travels and attendance at fashion shows, she launched a clothing brand in New York just one year later, in 1981. The fashion designer’s brand continues to be known for timeless, stylish pieces.
SCIENCE
Dr. Ellen Ochoa became the first Latina to go to space in 1993 as she flew aboard the space shuttle Discovery.
SPORT
Dara Torres
Born in Los Angeles to Cuban parents, Dara Torres is one of the most successful female Olympians of all time, winning 12 total medals throughout her career. In 2008, she became the oldest swimmer to make a U.S. Olympic team.
Laure Hernandez
The youngest entrant on this list, Laurie Hernandez won a gold medal as part of the U.S. women’s gymnastic’s team at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a silver medal at the individual balance beam event. Not only that, Hernandez, who’s of Puerto Rican descent, also won the 23rd season of “Dancing with the Stars.” Not bad for a 17-year-old.
POLICTICS
Justice Sonia Sotomayor
Born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents, Justice Sotomayor broke boundaries in 2009 when she became the first Latina and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States.
CIVIL RIGHTS
Sylvia Mendez
Mexican and Puerto Rican descent and was at the center of Mendez v. Westminster in 1947. Mendez’s parents brought the lawsuit against a school in Westminster, California, when it refused to allow Mendez and her siblings to enroll because they were Hispanic.
Foods
This month is an excellent opportunity to explore Hispanic dishes and try out recipes that are both sumptuous and easy to make.
Pupusas: masa flour pouches filled with beans, cheese, and/or meat—are a signature dish of El Salvador. NOTE: This recipe could include the cheese alone.
Paletas were first created in Mexico, in a town called Tocumbo. In the 1940s, a number of local families with a passion for all things sweet, started to make these frozen ice cream treats to offer a refreshing and delicious snack. Eventually, the families started to expand their ice cream production and moved into facilities called paleterias, hence the name paletas. Sold throughout the neighborhoods in Tocumbo from colorful ice cream carts, the popularity of these pretty Mexican desserts grew. Now paletas are a much loved Mexican dessert and have even made their way across the world.
At first glance, a typical paleta looks like a regular American popsicle, but they are distinctly different. Rather than being one flavor and one texture all the way through, paletas are made using chunks of fruit, vegetables and in some cases herbs. This fragrant and aromatic mix is then frozen around a wooden stick, paleta, Spanish for little stick. Once frozen, these refreshing Mexican desserts can be enjoyed as they are, or they can be made even more indulgent with toppings. Traditional paletas are made using natural ingredients such as mango, cucumber, lime juice, tamarind and others, but at Monarca Paletas, we are taking things to the next level.
Crafts
Mini Piñatas
Piñatas are more than colorful decorations; they symbolize joy, unity, and the essence of celebration. As part of a very important cultural part of Mexico, their presence signifies the communal spirit of coming together to enjoy life’s festivities.
Guatemalan Worry Dolls
The legend behind Guatemalan worry dolls is deeply rooted in Mayan culture and spirituality. It is said that a Mayan princess named Ixmucane received a special gift from the Sun God, granting her the ability to solve any problem a human might worry about. In honor of this gift, people began making small dolls as representations of Ixmucane to help relieve worries and troubles. These dolls have been passed down through generations and continue to be a beloved tradition in Guatemala today. Worry dolls hold cultural significance in Guatemala as symbols of comfort and care. They are not just toys but are also used as tools for emotional support. The act of telling one’s worries to the dolls can be therapeutic, providing a traditional way to teach children about expressing their feelings
FOR KIDS 7+
FOR TODDLERS
Paper Flowers
When the Spanish arrived in Mexico, they brought European paper as well as brightly colored tissue paper from the Philippines. The bark paper that had been used for generations was replaced with European paper and the delicate tissue paper known as papel chino in Mexico.
People had already been making art by poking holes into the bark paper with small chisels. This was known as papel picado (“pecked” or “perforated” paper) and it was surely easier to make with tissue paper than with bark!
To this day, papel picado is a popular Mexican papercraft, made with small chisels and mallets and brightly colored paper. The tissue paper is stacked together in piles (sometimes up to 50 sheets!) and the designs are cut out using a template. For a chisel-free, kid-friendly version, try this! Papel Picado for Kids
After the designs are cut out, the sheets are strung together as banners and used as festive decorations. Patterns and colors often reflect the occasion, and you’ll see white ones at weddings, and brightly colored ones at birthdays, on Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16), Cinco de Mayo, and in Día de los Muertos celebrations.
Paint a Skull
In preparation for Day of the Dead celebration small skulls or pictures for the youngers a photo copy of a skull to color and decorate.
Games
Loteria
How to Play
Game Board Download