10 December 2008
Hispanic Heritage Month Links
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens who came from or whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
White House Proclamation: National Hispanic Heritage Month
The National Hispanic Heritage Month 2008 presidential proclamation notes that “the rich cultural traditions of the Hispanic-American community have made a remarkable impact on American society.” Each year, the president welcomes distinguished Hispanic leaders, educators and artists to the White House.
Organizations
Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI)
This nonprofit, nonpartisan organization aims to develop the next generation of Hispanic leadership. A resource page provides links to information on policy issues, Latino professional organizations and more. CHCI also publishes a biennial National Directory of Hispanic Organizations.
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
LULAC is an advocacy organization for issues affecting Hispanic Americans. It identifies itself as “the largest and most active membership organization serving the Latino community.”
National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO)
Nonpartisan NALEO calls itself the “one-stop shop” for information on Latino political participation in the United States.
National Council of La Raza (NCLR)
NCLR works to fight discrimination and improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. It identifies itself as “the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States.”
Pew Hispanic Center
This nonpartisan research organization, a project of the Pew Research Center, “seeks to improve understanding of the U.S. Hispanic population and to chronicle Latinos' growing impact on the nation.”
Online Reading and Resources
Census Bureau
Among the resources on Hispanics and Latinos offered by the U.S. Census Bureau are Minority Links and Facts for Features.
Federal Citizen Information Center
Links to federal resources and information in Spanish.
Federal Resources for Educational Excellence: Hispanic Americans
Teaching and learning resources from U.S. federal agencies on Hispanic Americans. Also see the U.S.-Mexican War and Spanish-American War.
Latin American Network Information Center (LANIC)
The mission of LANIC, which is affiliated with the Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, is “to facilitate access to Internet-based information to, from, or on Latin America.”
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress, in collaboration with several other institutions, offers a Web portal on National Hispanic Heritage Month highlighting exhibits, collections, images and other resource materials. Beyond Baseball: The Life of Roberto Clemente is a traveling exhibition on the Puerto Rican-born right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates who died delivering aid to earthquake victims in Nicaragua.
Library of Congress: Veterans History Project
The Veterans History Project collects written and recorded histories, letters, diaries, photos, historical documents and other mementos of the nation’s veterans. Experiencing War: Hispanic Americans’ Service to the Nation tells nine inspirational stories of Hispanic veterans facing great adversity. Experiencing War: Hispanics in Service highlights the experiences of another dozen Hispanic veterans. The project also provides a guide to the records of all Hispanic veterans in the collection.
NCES: Status and Trends in the Education of Hispanics, 2003
The National Center for Education Statistics (U.S. Department of Education) draws on the many statistics published by NCES in a variety of reports and synthesizes these data in one compact volume. In 2007, NCES also published Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and Ethnic Minorities.
Smithsonian Latino Center
The center focuses on Latino heritage and culture in the United States, facilitating the development of exhibitions, research, collections and educational programs at the Smithsonian Institution and affiliated organizations.
Scholastic: Bring Hispanic Heritage Month to Life
Scholastic, publisher of children’s books and educational technology, provides ideas, teachers’ resources, lesson plans and student activities for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Voces Americanas/American Voices: Latino Literature in the U.S.
Produced by the Texas Council for the Humanities Resource Center
Welcome to the United States: A Guide for New Immigrants (PDF file)
This guide, published by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is available in English, Spanish and 11 other languages.
