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Celebrating Cultural Heritage
Celebrating Cultural Heritage featured image

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15th until October 15th! Hispanic Heritage Month honors the histories, cultures and contributions of all those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

Historical Context

A mini Hispanic Heritage Month fiesta at home – tjTODAY

Celebrated annually between September 15 and October 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the innumerable contributions made by Hispanic and Latinx Americans throughout our country’s history. Signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month originally began as Hispanic Heritage Week. Twenty years later, this week-long celebration was expanded into a one-month period, always beginning on September 15. This date was specifically selected in commemoration of the independence gained by five Hispanic nations—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua—on this date in 1821. Numerous other Hispanic nations celebrate their independence during this month also: Mexico (September 16), Chile (September 18), and Belize (September 21).

Across the country, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in a multitude of ways including presidential proclamations, military commemorations, parades, concerts, festivals, and fairs. In the Grand Rapids Public Schools, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month as well.  In addition to an annual declaration, GRPS seeks to create opportunities for students and staff to showcase the histories and cultures of the Hispanic and Latinx communities across the world. Through classroom lessons and schoolwide celebrations, programs throughout the district highlight the unique contributions made by Hispanic and Latinx people both near and far.

Spanish Culture: Celebrating the National Hispanic Heritage Month

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we encourage you to review the following history and resources:

  • https://www.loc.gov/law/help/commemorative-observations/hispanic-heritage.php
  • https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/for-teachers/
  • https://www.oprahmag.com/hispanic-heritage-month/
  • https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/reference/holidays/everything-need-know-hispanic-heritage-month/
  • https://ptaourchildren.org/tag/hispanic-heritage-month/

 

 

Although your student(s) celebrate and learn about cultures through our curriculum all year long, having a calendar reminding busy families of  heritage observances can be a great way to prioritize cultural exploration for your family. Here is a list of celebrations, holidays, and heritage months you can include on your family calendar:

January

 

20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

27: Holocaust Remembrance Day

February

 

 

Black History Month

1: National Freedom Day

1: Chinese New Year, 2023

March

 

 

 

Women’s History Month

8: International Women’s Day

March 13- April 15: Deaf History Month

31: International Transgender Day of Visibility

April

 

 

Celebrate Diversity Month

Autism Awareness Month

2: World Autism Awareness Day

May

 

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month

June

 

 

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month

15: Native American Citizenship Day

19: Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day

July 26: Disability Independence Day

30: International Day of Friendship

September

 

6-8: Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year celebration, 2022

September 15- October 15: Hispanic Heritage Month

October 12: National Indigenous Peoples Day
November

 

National Native American Heritage Month

27: Native American Heritage Day

December

 

 

December 18 – 26: Hanukkah 2021

3: International Day of Disabled Persons

26-January 1: Kwanzaa

 

Related articles from the October 2022 issue

GRPS Diversity, Equity & Inclusion with Dr. Roby

Talk it Out

Resources for Healing

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