Border Heritage Center: National Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

National Hispanic Heritage Month (NHHM)
September 15 - October 15

2024 Theme:
“Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.”

In recognition of NHHM we will post influential Hispanics from/to El Paso, so keep an eye out! The posts will be posted every Monday until the end of NHHM.

Hispanic Heritage Month is about celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America. President Lyndon Johnson started Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and in 1988 President Ronald Regan expanded it to be the 15th to the 15th. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. September 15th is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates Independence Day Sept 16. Chile celebrates their Independence Day on Sept 18. Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.

Click to view larger - https://www.hispanicstar.org/toolkit

Latino history is American history. Latinos trace their origins to Latin America and other Spanish colonies, both in the Caribbean and in the contemporary United States. These groups include, but are not limited to, Indigenous, Mestizos, Afro-Latinos, and other mixed-race people. Currently representing the largest ethnic minority in the country, Latinos have participated in the creation and growth of this nation well before it was named the United States. Complex stories of colonization, immigration, and slavery make Latino history an infinite source for inquiry and knowledge.

Hispanic Heritage Walk and Yoga

Click to enlarge

El Paso Public Library’s Border Heritage Center was formed in 1995 by combining three major collections – Southwest, Genealogy, and Raza – into one area of the Main Library. The purpose of the Center is to enhance the quality of life of El Pasoans and others by collecting, preserving, and making available information about the history and culture of the residents of El Paso and the surrounding Southwest region.

The El Paso Public Library Border Heritage Center's (BHC) new digital collections website, facilitated through AM Quartex, allows our patrons to discover, access, and utilize BHC’s special collections remotely!

Picture shown of Border Heritage Citizen Vertical Files

Resources

Teacher's Guide - Hispanic and Latino Heritage and History in the United States

National Today Cultural Calendar

Library of Congress National Hispanic Heritage Month

United States Courts

‘¡Si Se Puede!’ highlights Hispanic heritage, business

Visit El Paso - Hispanic Heritage Month

National Museum of the American Latino