This Month Shouldn't Be the Only Time We Teach About the Contributions of Hispanic Americans

Oct 12, 2020 12:00:00 AM

by

There are close to 50 million Hispanic people in the United States. But like many minority groups in the United States, their history and heritage are often overlooked by traditional educational standards. That is where National Hispanic Heritage Month comes in. Like Black History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month was designed to combat the tendency to gloss over the history, accomplishments and contributions of the Hispanic community.

But how did it start?

Like other affinity months, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally a week. Congressmen George E. Brown, who represented East Los Angeles during the 1960s, saw the Civil Rights Movement play out in Hispanic neighborhoods firsthand. He was the first to introduce Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. President Lyndon B. Johnson eventually issued the proclamation making the week official.

For twenty years the commemorative event remained a weeklong affair. It was not until 1989 that Hispanic Heritage week was extended from a week to a month.

Hispanic Heritage month runs 31 days starting from September 15. That date is symbolic because it is the date that many Latin American countries declared their independence from Spain. Additionally, Mexico declared its independence from Spain September 16.

[pullquote]Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to touch on contributions made by the Hispanic community. However, just like we say with Black History Month, it is important to note that it should not be the ONLY time you do so.[/pullquote]

With that being said, hispanicheritagemonth.gov has compiled a variety of resources for teachers so you can hit the topic extra hard during a time of the year when it is especially relevant.

Click here to find Hispanic Heritage Month resources to guide your class.

This post originally appeared on IndyK12 as "The History of National Hispanic Heritage Month and How You Can Teach It."

Andrew Pillow

Andrew Pillow is a fifth grade social studies teacher at KIPP Indianapolis, a charter school where he has taught since 2011. He is also a former Teach Plus Policy Fellow and he has taught technology and social issues.

Leave a Comment

The Feed

Explainers

  • EXPLAINED: What Are Standardized Tests and Why Do We Need Them?

    Ed Post Staff

    EXPLAINED: What Are Standardized Tests and Why Do We Need Them? Few issues in education spark more tension and debate than standardized testing. Are they a tool for equity or a burden on students? A...

  • Explained: What Is the Federal Charter Schools Program?

    Ed Post Staff

    Charter schools are public schools with a purpose. Operating independently from traditional school districts, they're tuition-free, open to all students, and publicly funded—but with more flexibility...

  • A Leaky Educator Pipeline Loses Teachers of Color

    Ed Post Staff

    Despite the benefits of a diverse teaching force, prospective teachers of color fall out of our leaky preparation pipeline at every stage: preparation, hiring, induction, and retention. Here’s what...