Every year from September 15 – October 15th, the USA celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month. It’s a series of activities and events that recognize the contributions of Latin-American and Hispanic peoples to our countries heritage. Created under President Lyndon Johnson, it has been expanded over the years and the special theme for 2012 is “Many Backgrounds, Many Stories…One American Spirit”.
The starting date for this month was chosen as September 15th because it reflects the date when five Latin American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Niceragua) declared independence in 1821. September 16th, 18th and the 21st also mark the dates when Mexico, Chile, and Belize declared independence. Participating in this month of education and celebration are The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
For a complete listing of resources, events and activities, including a section on teaching Hispanic heritage, visit the official website at:
http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/
For a variety of fun musical activities that focus on Latin American and Hispanic culture – visit:
Making Multicultural Music 