Each year, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the immeasurable contributions of Hispanic Americans to our economy, history, culture and society.
The idea for Hispanic Heritage Week was first introduced in June 1968 by U.S. Rep. George E. Brown, who represented the San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles, Calif. With the civil rights movement in full swing, he believed the country needed to recognize the integral roles and contributions the Hispanic and Latinx communities had made to the country. The celebration was then expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period and was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988.
Hispanic Heritage Month kicks off in the middle of September to correspond with the independence of many countries like Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico and Nicaragua.
Hispanic Americans have been vital to the prosperity of the U.S. and they embody the best of American values. The Hispanic American community has left an indelible mark on U.S. culture and economy through music, food, art, cinema, politics, literature and so much more.
Here are video resources from Untold History for introducing this topic, expanding classroom discussion and connecting the past to the present:
How Puerto Rico Became a U.S. Commonwealth
Discussion Questions
- Why did Puerto Rico become a territory and not a state?
- What efforts has Puerto Rico made to obtain statehood or independence?
- What are the arguments in favor of Puerto Rico’s statehood or independence?
Exodus of Cuba's Children
Discussion Questions
- Why was the Pedro Pan program created?
- Where did the children stay once they reached Miami?
- How do you think they adapted to their new lives in Florida away from their families?
Dolores Huerta: "Yes we can!"
Discussion Questions
- How do you think Huerta learned to become such a powerful public speaker?
- What are some of the challenges she faced? And how did she overcome those challenges?
- How does her work influence workers today?
Maria Ruiz de Burton: Chicano Activist Writer
Discussion Questions
- How was Ruiz de Burton’s life affected by the Mexican-American War?
- How did her marriage to Captain Burton shape her adulthood?
- How did she begin her writing career?
Jovita Idar: Voice of the People
Discussion Questions
- What are your rights as a student regarding freedom of speech in a school newspaper or a protest at school?
- Is freedom of speech an absolute right?
- Does social media enhance or impede people’s freedom of speech?
Emma Tenayuca: Latina Labor Activist
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think the minimum wage in many places and for many jobs has not been increased over the last decade?
- How does the federal government protect workers’ rights? What is The Fair Labor Standards Act?
- Who are modern-day labor rights activists you have heard of?
Dr. Antonia Pantoja: The Puerto Rican Who Gave Back Students’ Bilingual Voice
Discussion Questions
- What is grassroots organizing, and how can students play a role in their communities?
- Do you have bilingual-education classes in your school? Why is it important for students who speak languages other than English to have the opportunity to participate in bilingual education?
- What programs and resources does the ASPIRA organization offer today?
Roberto Clemente: A True Baseball Hero
Discussion Questions
- What impact do athletes and sports leagues have on society today?
- How do today’s athletes promote social justice?
Zoot Suit Riots
Discussion Questions
- Can fashion be political?
- What did the zoot suit represent?
- Why did textiles have to be rationed during World War II?
Ellen Ochoa: The First Female Hispanic Astronaut
Discussion Questions
- Why is it important that we celebrate Ellen Ochoa’s accomplishments?
- What did she study in space
Hispanic Heritage Month Lesson Plans and Activities
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with these free activities, lesson plans and resources highlighting the contributions of the Hispanic world to history, music, art, literature and more.
Dr. NaJuana Lee
As the Director of Education at DoGoodery, NaJuana analyzes learners’ needs and aligns them to defined learning objectives. She believes in building the learning framework, content and program around learners’ prior knowledge and interests to develop meaningful, engaged, and impactful learning.
Dr. Lizabeth Fogel
Dr. Lizabeth Fogel is the Vice President, Learning, Strategy and Development at DoGoodery, where she grows partnerships and alliances while recognizing and leveraging the unique working styles, processes, and problem-solving skills of the individuals who make up diverse teams.
Untold History explores stories, people and artifacts that students won’t learn about in an ordinary text book. Perhaps now more than ever, our history is a vital and very present part of the world around us. So it’s hugely important that young people feel a part of that conversation and can see... See More
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Steven Freeman
November 10, 2022, 4:47 am
thank you, this article was very helpful and informative, many things became new to me
