Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor and celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States. From September 15 to October 15, we recognize how these communities have shaped and enriched our nation with their art, music, literature, science, education, politics, and more.
All school in the USA do their best to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in this or that way. For example, it is a great idea to make students read a text about some famous Hispanic person: an actor, a poet, a president, a footballer, an actress, or a singer! You can learn more about Rita Moreno and Pablo Neruda by reading these passages in the classroom. The text is followed by 4 types of question of different levels. There is also a writing task included! Have a look by clicking here.
Why September 15?
The date of September 15 is significant because it marks the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. They all declared their independence from Spain in 1821. Additionally, Mexico, Chile, and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, September 18, and September 21, respectively.
How did Hispanic Heritage Month start?
Hispanic Heritage Month has its roots in 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a law to establish Hispanic Heritage Week. The idea was proposed by two congressmen from California, Edward R. Roybal and Henry B. Gonzales, who wanted to recognize the role and influence of Hispanic Americans in the history and development of the United States. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the observance to a month-long celebration, from September 15 to October 15. The first official proclamation of National Hispanic Heritage Month was issued by President George H.W. Bush in 1989.
How can we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
There are many ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and learn more about the diverse and vibrant cultures of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Here are some suggestions:
Visit a national park or historic site that commemorates the stories and achievements of Hispanic and Latino Americans. For example, you can explore:
- the Cesar E. Chavez National Monument in California
- the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in Texas
- the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument in Florida
It is always great to watch a documentary or a movie that features Hispanic and Latino actors, directors, or themes. For example, you can watch “Dolores”, a film about the life and activism of Dolores Huerta, “Coco”, an animated movie that celebrates the Day of the Dead tradition in Mexico, or “In the Heights”, a musical adaptation of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway show about a neighborhood in New York City.
What about music?
Listen to music or podcasts that showcase the diversity and richness of Hispanic and Latino music genres and artists. For example, you can listen to:
- “Alt.Latino”, a NPR podcast that explores Latin alternative music and culture
- “Leyendas Legendarias”, a comedy podcast that narrates stories of legends and myths from Latin America
- “Latino USA”, a radio program that covers news and stories from a Latino perspective.
Don’t forget about the books!
It is a good idea to read books or articles by Hispanic and Latino authors or about Hispanic and Latino topics. These books are just great to read during this festive month:
- “The House on Mango Street” by Sandra Cisneros, a coming-of-age novel about a young Latina girl growing up in Chicago
- “How the García Girls Lost Their Accents” by Julia Alvarez, a story about four sisters who immigrate from the Dominican Republic to New York City
- “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao” by Junot Díaz, a novel that blends history, fantasy, and family saga in the Dominican Republic and New Jersey.
Hola = Hello!
Why not to learn some words or phrases in Spanish or another language spoken by Hispanic and Latino communities? You can learn how to say hello (hola), thank you (gracias), good morning (buenos días), or how are you (cómo estás) in Spanish. You can also learn some words from indigenous languages such as Nahuatl (the language of the Aztecs), Quechua (the language of the Incas), or Maya (the language of the Maya civilization).
Food always brings people together!
Cook or eat some dishes or snacks that are typical or inspired by Hispanic and Latino cuisines.
Don’t forget to try:
- tacos
- enchiladas
- burritos
- nachos
- empanadas
- arepas
- ceviche
- paella
- gazpacho
- tortilla de patatas
- flan
- Tres leches cake
- churros
Pay attention to local events!
It is always rewarding and fun to participate in events or activities organized by local organizations or institutions that celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. What can you do? You may visit a festival, a parade, a concert, a workshop, a lecture, or an exhibition that showcases the culture and heritage of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Let’s celebrate together with these engaging Reading Comprehension Resource about Rita Moreno and Pablo Neruda! Don’t forget to follow my store!
You can also read about the blog posts about Orton-Gillingham Red Words, the importance of teaching sight words, and different opinions of teaching sight words.
