Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually in the United States from September 15 to October 15 in recognition of the rich history, heritage, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. This celebration recognizes the cultural legacy of American citizens with roots in Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
President Lyndon Johnson signed Hispanic Heritage Week into law in 1968. Then, in 1988, the celebration expanded into a month when President Ronald Reagan signed National Hispanic Heritage Month into law. Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15, independence day for five Spanish-speaking countries. In 1821, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua declared their independence.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the importance of Hispanic culture. It’s also a time to celebrate and grow together while supporting our Hispanic friends and colleagues.
See below for celebrations we will host on campus for National Hispanic Heritage Month, or check out these other activities. All campus events are free and open to the campus community.
August 28: Opening Reception: Walker Evans in Cuba
5–7 p.m. | Zimmerman Recital Hall, Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Join us for an opening reception for Walker Evans in Cuba: The Ernest Hemingway Collection. In 1933, Walker Evans traveled to Cuba to make photographs for Carleton Beals’ The Crime of Cuba, a blistering critique of dictator Gerardo Machado’s brutal regime. In Havanna, Evans met the acclaimed 33-year-old writer Ernest Hemingway. A chance encounter led the two to become drinking buddies. The 44 vintage photographs in this exhibition, all printed in Cuba, come from Hemingway’s personal collection of Evans’ photographs, the fruits of that friendship.
Light refreshments will be served. Latin music featuring John Grisbacher and LVC alums with Cryptic Tymbal.
September 10: Photography Lecture: Walker Evans, Havana, and Hemingway
12–1 p.m. | Zimmerman Recital Hall, Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Join us for a photography lecture, “To Have and Have Not: Walker Evans, Havana, and Hemingway,” by Shannon Egan, Director of The Trout Gallery/The Art Museum of Dickinson College.
September 17: Cuban History Lecture: Cuba in the 1930s
5–6 p.m. | Zimmerman Recital Hall, Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Join us for “Cuba in the 1930s: What Evans Could Not See,” a lecture by Alejandro de la Fuente, Robert Woods Bliss Professor of Latin American History and Economics; Professor of African and African American Studies and of History; Director, Afro-Latin American Research Institute, Hutchins Center for African and African American Research at Harvard University.
September 22: Gallery Talk: Cuban America: Race, Culture, Religion, and Exile
11 a.m. | Zimmerman Recital Hall, Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Join us for a gallery talk, Cuban America: Race, Culture, Religion, and Exile, by Dr. Michelle Maldonado, Provost, Lebanon Valley College.*Special Note: Metz will be serving empanadas in the dining hall this day. Start your taste of Latin America there and then join us for our meeting!
September 30: Hispanic, Latino or Latinx? When Do Hispanic Caribbean Migrants Embrace a Panethnic Identity?
6:30–7:30 p.m. | Zimmerman Recital Hall, Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery
Join us for this presentation by Dr. Jorge Duany, Former Director of Cuban Research Institute at FIJ.
Sponsored by the Departments of Languages, Social Sciences, Social Justice Program, the Office of Culture, Community and Belonging, and Latin Hispanic Alliance
A Legacy of Leadership & Impact
Hispanic and Latino individuals have played pivotal roles in shaping the nation’s history. From business leaders and activists to artists, athletes, politicians, and entertainers, their contributions continue to drive change and enrich our society. These trailblazers inspire future generations, leaving an indelible mark on every corner of American life.
Did You Know?
The deliciously addictive corn chip recipe was created by Mexican-American restaurant owner Gustavo Olguin, who sold the recipe to the Doolin family in 1932. Since 1961, the curly, fried chips have been produced by the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo.
A revolutionary invention in the makeup industry, the Beauty Blender was the first sponge of its kind to reproduce an airbrush-effect when applying foundation to skin. It was created by Latina makeup artist and entrepreneur Rea Ann Silva.
Olga D. Gonzalez-Sanabria a chemical engineer from Puerto Rican descent and her team at NASA created the batteries which are used in space satellites to improve their performance.
Angela Guzman is a Colombian-American UX designer who co-created the original set of Apple emojis in 2008.
Mexican-American physicist Albert Vinicio Báez was the co-creator of the X-ray reflection microscope which uses X-rays to produce enlarged images of small or distant subjects. Thanks to this invention, we have the ability to examine things as small as living cells and as far away as galaxies.