Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture, which is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15. In 1968, it began as a weeklong celebration under President Johnson, and 20 years later in 1988, President Reagan expanded it to a full month.
The date of the celebration is historically significant, as many Central American countries celebrate their independence days within these dates with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. (September 15 - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras; and Nicaragua; September 16 – Mexico; September 18 – Chile; September 21 – Belize).
Hispanic Heritage in South Carolina
The Latino presence in America spans centuries, and they have been an integral part of shaping our nation since before the Revolutionary War. Learn more about the early exploration and colonization of South Carolina, and the rich history revealed through archaeology. Watch and listen as Mary Long talks about the conquistadores. Found in South Carolina, the Marsh Tacky is a lingering reminder of Spanish explorers and colonists.
Through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Treaty of Paris, following the Mexican-American and Spanish-American wars, the United States gathered territories in the Southwest and Puerto Rico. This incorporated the people of this area into the United States and further expanded the presence of Hispanic Americans.
There is much to be learned about this special relationship and to this end, ETV offers Hispanic Heritage History in a Nutshell. You can follow this up with the Hispanic History in South Carolina Trivia Quiz to test what you know.
Explore the Culture
The National Museum of the American Latino uses the term “Latino” to describe the diverse residents of the United States with cultural or ancestral ties to Latin America or the Caribbean. For many, the term "Latino" also creates room for acknowledging Black, Indigenous, Asian, and other heritages on equal terms with European ancestry. The term “Hispanic” is used to signal a connection to Spain or the Spanish language. The best way to learn about different cultures is to immerse yourself.
PBS Passport offers a richness of opportunities. When you can't travel, tune into SCETV for programming such as the Rick Steves in Europe Andalucia Southern Spain.
Also on Passport, Basic Black, Hispanic and Latino Culture celebrates the historic and cultural contributions from the Hispanic and Latin communities thriving in Boston's Latin Quarter and across the Commonwealth.
ETV President Adrienne Fairwell extends an invitation to join us to celebrate outstanding individuals and organizations for their remarkable contributions to the Hispanic community and beyond with the 37th Hispanic Heritage Awards. This prestigious event recognizes the impactful achievements that have shaped Hispanic heritage and culture. September 29 at 8:30 p.m. on the South Carolina Channel and at 9 p.m. on ETV-HD.
Educational Resources for the Classroom
There have been many Hispanics and Latinos who have contributed to American history and culture. Did you know that 13 Hispanic baseball players are honored in the Baseball Hall of Fame? Within the armed services, there are 61 Hispanic Medal of Honor winners. In 1993, NASA astronaut Ellen Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman to go to space.
SCETV's Educational website, KnowItAll.org, introduces us to a vibrant arts scene. We meet dancer Miriam Barbosa and artist Marcelo Novo who collaborated to create the multimedia dance performance Catharsis. Watch Danza del Venado, or Deer Dance, a traditional dance of the Yaqui Indians from the states of Sonora and Sinaloa in northwest Mexico, in which a male dancer portrays a deer, wearing a headdress shaped like a deer's head with large antlers.
Learn about the renowned Mexican portrait artist Frida Kahlo. Meet Juan Felipe Hererra, author, poet and educator, who talks about bilingual children's books. Visit a poetry reading moderated by Juan Felipe where students are encouraged to write poetry. Featured author Carmen Agra Deedy reads Cuban folk story Martina the Beautiful Cockroach.
Adaptation to a new country comes with many changes. Photo Novella La Ropa Sucia and ETV production Nuestro Futuro share the problems and situations of young Hispanics within the community.
South Carolina ETV provides a growing list of resources with Spanish descriptions and captions on its educational website, KnowItAll. org.
View more content on the Hispanic Heritage Month collection.
