Hispanic Heritage Month

  • Hispanic Heritage Month Banner

    • What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean?
      The celebration was created to recognize the positive impact that Hispanic Americans have left on the country. "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. It takes place from September 15-October 15 every year.

      As of 2020, the Hispanic population in the U.S. is 62.1 million—the largest minority group in the country—according to the 2020 Census report.

      Who started Hispanic Heritage Month?
      President Lyndon B. Johnson first introduced National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. Congress expanded it from a week to a month long beginning in 1989, after it was amended into public law in 1988 during Ronald Reagan's presidency.
      In Presidential Proclamation 3869, President Johnson wrote, “Wishing to pay special tribute to the Hispanic tradition, and having in mind the fact that our five Central American neighbors celebrate their Independence Day on the fifteenth of September and the Republic of Mexico on the sixteenth, the Congress by House Joint Resolution 1299, has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the week including September 15 and 16 as National Hispanic Heritage Week.”
      In addition, the following government institutions honor Hispanic Heritage Month: The Library of Congress, National Gallery of Art, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Park Service.

      Why is it first celebrated on 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.

      How do people celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
      The official government website typically keeps a calendar of highlighted activities hosted throughout the United States, from concerts to book and art festivals and parades. A majority of the festivities held throughout the United States are family-friendly and occur at the local level—and many are free.

  • Ways to Celebrate

    Cultural Performances: Arrange performances of traditional Hispanic music, dance, and theater by students, local community groups, or professional performers. This can showcase the rich cultural diversity within the Hispanic community.

    Film Screenings: Screen documentaries, films, or short videos that focus on Hispanic history, culture, and achievements. Follow up with discussions and activities that encourage critical thinking and dialogue.

    Art and Literature Exhibitions: Organize art displays and literature exhibitions featuring works by Hispanic artists and authors. This can include both historical and contemporary pieces.

    Community Outreach: Collaborate with local Hispanic community organizations to co-host events, workshops, and celebrations. This strengthens ties between your school and the broader community.

    Decorations and Displays: Decorate school buildings and classrooms with artwork, flags, and information related to Hispanic cultures. This visually creates an atmosphere of celebration and education.

    Heritage Assemblies: Plan special assemblies where students can showcase their understanding of Hispanic culture through performances, presentations, and creative expressions.

  • Resources for the Classroom

    • Hispanic Heritage Month - Origins & Facts - HISTORY - Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the U.S. Latinx and Hispanic communities. The event, which spans from September 15 to October 15, commemorates how those communities have influenced and contributed to American society at large.  Hispanic Heritage Month actually began as a commemorative week when it was first introduced in June of 1968 by California Congressman George E. Brown. The push to recognize the contributions of the Latinx community had gained momentum throughout the 1960s when the civil rights movement was at its peak and there was a growing awareness of the United States' multicultural identities. 
    • What Is Hispanic Heritage Month and Why Do People Celebrate It? - While you never have to wait for an annual event to take pride in your ethnic background, for Hispanic Americans, the purpose of those four weeks is to honor their respective cultures and the histories behind them. 
    • Recommended Reads: Latinx Representation 
    • Latinx Authors - DPS Library Services recognizes Hispanic heritage encompasses a transcontinental region made up of many countries and cultures.  This collection highlights authors from this region as well as Americans who identify as Hispanic, Latinx, Latino(a), Chicano(a), and/or Mestizo(a).
    • Migration Stories - A collection of stories that reflect the journey and experience of people who have immigrated.  Perspectives include refugees, DACA recipients, emigrants, and immigrants.
    • Spanish Language Fiction - Una colección de títulos de ficción en español.
    • Spanish Language Nonfiction - Una colección de títulos españoles de no ficción.  
    • Together With Dia! | Smore Newsletters for Education - Also known as Dia de los ninos / Dia de los libros - Dia! is a nationally recognized initiative that emphasizes the importance of literacy for all children from all backgrounds. It is a daily commitment to linking children and their families to diverse books, languages and cultures. The Dia initiative was founded by author and poet, Pat Mora - visit her website HERE. Find a multitude of helpful resources to plan your Dia celebration on the official Dia website. Dia! = Diversity in Action! 
    • Celebrate Hispanic Culture - Links to Units - Celebrate Hispanic culture all year long with authors, illustrators, books and resources linked here.
    • Hispanic Authors and Illustrators - Click on the author/illustrator name to get more information. To see hundreds of titles by Hispanic/Latinx authors, check out the Latinx Authors Collection in Sora eBooks. Go to LION.dpsk12.org, select your school, click the “E-Books and E-Audiobooks” button, choose Sora and sign in (for students the username is 6 digit student ID and password is 8 digit birthdate.) Don’t forget to explore the Celebrate Hispanic Culture Literacy Units!

Calling for Student Submissions! Share Student Work & Art for Hispanic Heritage Month

  • From Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, we will be joining in local and national celebrations of Hispanic Heritage Month. We want to feature how our students are learning about, connecting with, interpreting and celebrating this cultural moment through their writing, artwork, music, photos and videos. We’ll share submissions on our website and social media channels at the end of the celebration. Submitted content may be screened for a focus on highlighting the moment and grounding in our vision of equity, inclusion and belonging for all students and community. Please email your submissions to DPSEquity@dpsk12.org by Sept. 28 for consideration.

     

Questions?