Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the history, culture and contributions of people with Latin American roots. The holiday, which runs from September 15 to October 15, commemorates communities with connections to 20 Latin American countries and territories (Open external link). It’s a chance for families to learn about the cultures and traditions that make up more than 19% of the United States population.
To mark Hispanic Heritage Month, the Smithsonian Institution has a slate of events including art and music activities for all ages. Its National Portrait Gallery will team up with Lil’ Libros, a bilingual children’s book publisher for a Fotos & Recuerdos Festival, which features story times and art and craft workshops. And the U.S. Postal Service has put its own stamp on the occasion with a pair of Forever stamps featuring pinatas, the handmade party favorites usually associated with blindfolded guests trying to crack them open for candy.
The Library of Congress will offer a wide range of Hispanic Heritage events and programs across most of its 20 public reading rooms. Blogs and curated resources explore diverse eras, topics and regions of Latin American history. The Library also has a new set of audio recordings from its PALABRA archive featuring Latino writers, poets and authors.
A number of museums and libraries are also joining the Hispanic Heritage celebrations with special exhibitions, performances and other programming. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Denver has a multimedia installation called DREAMING IN COLOR, which is exploring the impact that color has on Latino identities. It also has a collection of costumes, photos and other memorabilia from a legendary Mexican pop star.
In addition, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has a special exhibition exploring the relationship between art and religion in Mexico. And the National Park Service is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with resources that address a variety of eras, topics and regions of Latin America. Teachers can use the NPS Hispanic Heritage Month Theme Study, (Open external link) available in both English and Spanish, to teach about heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. And students can investigate the role of Latino veterans and their experiences during World War II through the Los Veteranos virtual field trip.
One of the reasons for why Hispanic Heritage Month falls in September and October is because these months coincide with the independence days of many Latin American countries. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate their freedom from Spain on September 15. Mexico, Chile and Belize will mark their independence on separate days later in the month. And October is a good time to remember the historic Cry of Dolores that launched the Mexican War of Independence in 1821. So, enjoy Hispanic Heritage Month with all the richness, diversity and beauty of our region’s culture. Then, you’ll know how to DREAM IN COLOR!