2021 Hispanic Heritage Month

  • Mon, Sep 20 2021
Hispanic Heritage Month

 

Background Information

Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the rich culture and history of Hispanic and Latino communities.  Each year from September 15th to October 15th Americans take time out to reflect and appreciate the incredible contributions and influence the Latino culture has had upon the U.S. and our Nation’s history.  Initially established as a week-long recognition of the contributions made by the US Latino communities, National Hispanic Heritage Week was the brainchild of Congressman George E. Brown (D-CA) in the summer of 1968, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement.  By September 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation to recognize National Hispanic Heritage Week annually beginning on September 15th. 

September 15th was chosen as the day to recognize Hispanic Heritage Week because the date coincides with several independence days of various Central & South American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua (Sept 15th), Mexico (Sept 16th), Chile (Sept. 18th) and Belize ( Sept. 21).

The evolution of the week-long observation of National Hispanic Heritage Week into a month-long celebration began in 1987 when U.S Representative Esteban E. Torres (D-CA) proposed having more time to allow the nation to organize events to recognize and celebrate the impact of Hispanic culture, history, and achievement. As such, in 1988, Senator Paul Simon (D-IL) submitted a bill which followed Rep. Torres’s, the bill was approved and signed into law by President Reagan that same year.  However, it was President George H.W. Bush who declared September 15th to October 15th as National Hispanic Heritage Month in September of the following year and declarations of National Hispanic Heritage Month have been made by each sitting president following.

Source: History.com Hispanic Heritage Month 9/16/20

 

Spotlight

 

 

My name is Amalia Nevarez and I’m a rising junior at a school in the Downtown Phoenix area. I’m a student advisor on the Arizona Department of Education’s Latinx Advisory Council and am passionate about bettering the Latinx student experience. At school, this means leading our Hispanic Student Union, where we work to inform students about issues facing the Hispanic community and start a discussion that leads to positive change. It’s a safe space to learn about and embrace the Hispanic culture. I also love reading, sketching, and playing the piano!

I’m inspired to work in the Arizona education community because I feel like it is such a unique opportunity to be able to be a student and give feedback about my current experiences. I love having discussions about topics that are important to me and hearing other people's points of view on them. It’s always good to get a new perspective on something and being a part of this community gives me that chance.

One way that our classrooms can be more culturally responsive and inclusive is to make sure that all curriculums cover the history of the people and places from around the world in an unbiased manner, stating only the facts as they really happened. History is such an important part of every culture and being able to accurately teach the next generation about it is a privilege and a necessity. Additionally, providing an open atmosphere in classrooms to learn about and discuss tough topics is essential in allowing students to grow and thrive. 

 

Events

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

Location: Children’s Museum of Phoenix 215 N 7th Street Phoenix, AZ 85034

  • Time: September 15th to October 15th, 2021 from 9 am to 4 pm
  • Cost:  Non-Member $16.00          Seniors (62yrs+) $15.00                  Children under 1yrs Free
  • Details: Museum will feature artwork by the international artist, Gennaro Garcia.

 

Sept. 14- Oct. 15: Frida Kahlo Self Portraits- create your own self-portrait in the Star Bar

Sept. 21-30: Create DIY surrealist collage inspired by Salvador Dali in Art Studio

Oct. 1:  Fiesta Mexicana Dance Company & Mariachi Pasion Performances (free of charge for First Friday Night from 5pm to 9pm) 

Oct. 5 -10: Create DIY colorful Guatemalan Barriletes in the Art Studio

Oct.12 -17:  Create DIY Dia De los Muertos Skulls in Art Studio

 More Information

 

Somos Peoria

  • Location: Old Town Peoria
  • Time: Sept. 25th from 2 pm to 10:30 pm
  • Cost: $10.00 with limited VIP experience tickets for purchase
  • Details: Events will include a concert featuring Tower of Power and Tierra, Local and traditional food, Shopping & crafts, Ballet Folklorico, Lucha Libre, mariachi music, and a classic low-rider show. The event is sponsored by Somos Peoria and Peoria AZ Arts and Events.

 More Information

 

CCA & C.A.L.L.E. De Arizona Present the 22nd Annual Mariachi & Folklorico Festival

  • Location: Chandler Center for the Arts 250 N Arizona Ave Chandler, AZ
  • Time: Oct. 2, 2021, from 7 pm to 11 pm
  • Cost: $35, $45, $55, & $75 VIP tickets are available
  • Details: The festival will feature music performed by Mariachi Tesoro de Tucson, Herencia Mexicana, AZ, and Rancheria soloist Sandra Guevara and dance performances from Ballet Folklorico Quetzalli-AZ. The event is sponsored by C.A.L.L.E de Arizona and Maestra Vanessa Ramirez

 More Information

 

Teacher Resources

Library of Congress

National Archives

 

 

 

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