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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage at Upper Iowa University

Hispanic culture continues to have a profound effect on food, music, science, sports, politics, fashion, the arts and much more in the United States. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor and celebrate the historic background, culture, heritage, and many influences of the Hispanic community in the United States. Join us over the next month as we celebrate and commemorate the contributions of Hispanics to culture both locally and globally.

 

Hispanic Heritage History

In September 1968, Congress authorized National Hispanic Heritage Week, observed during the week that included September 15 and 16. September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the independence anniversary of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence soon after on September 16 and 18, respectively. The observance was expanded in 1989 by Congress to a month-long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). The United States celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Did you know?

There is a share of the English language that is derived from Spanish. Like most languages, English has expanded over the years through assimilation of words from other tongues. See here for a list of Spanish loanwords that have become assimilated into the English vocabulary. While this is not a complete list, this will give you an idea of how Spanish and English have been trading vocabulary (and culture) for centuries: https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/english-words-actually-spanish

Here’s a look at some of the events taking place virtually and in-person. In addition, please visit the Student Center to explore the many Latin* individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the United States and the global community – posters are along the wall of the first floor. Please note that throughout the descriptions on this page you will notice the term “Latin*”. The asterisk serves as a placeholder for new and emerging terms that consider the fluidity of social identities.

 

Scheduled Events (All times CST)

All Month in Student Center

This year is “Celebrating Innovations!” Each history and heritage month, UIU will highlight inventors and their life-altering innovations – recognizing the history that has given us our future.

In an effort to pay tribute to and raise awareness of a few of the many Hispanic Americans who have made tremendous impacts locally, nationally, and globally, Student Life has collected the bios of some inspiring and influential Hispanic inventors. Visit the Student Center and academic buildings to read about some of these trailblazers.

National Voter Registration All Week September 16-20 - Student Center

The Student Government Association is excited to be part of a national effort to strengthen our democracy by registering voters over the lunch hour (11:30 am – 12:30 pm) throughout the week of September 16th.  National Voter Registration Day, which will take place on September 17, 2024, was first celebrated in 2012 and is a nonpartisan holiday that’s helped more than 5 million Americans register to vote!

This year UIU is actively celebrating National Voter Registration Day to help eligible students register to vote and answer questions. Volunteers comprising of students and community members will be available at the following locations and times:

SGA Sponsored Voter Registration all week Sept. 16-20th from 11:30-12:30 in the Student Center Commons

According to U.S. Census data from 2020, as many as 1 in 4 eligible Americans are not registered to vote. Every year, millions of Americans find themselves unable to vote because they miss a registration deadline, don’t update their registration, or aren’t sure how to register. National Voter Registration Day efforts are designed to ensure every eligible voter has the opportunity to vote, creating broad awareness of voter registration opportunities to reach tens of thousands of voters who may not register otherwise.

(About National Voter Registration Day | National Voter Registration Day)

 

Lunch and Learn Sept 18th at 12:10 pm (Zoom): The Electoral College ... What in the $^&# were the Founding Fathers Thinking!?

During this virtual Lunch & Learn, UIU Professor Chris Kragnes will explain how the process behind the Electoral College came about and its original intent. But is it meeting that original intent today? Constitution Day is Tuesday, September 17th but in order to maximize the number of faculty, staff and students who can attend, this lunch and learn will be held on Wednesday, September 18th. Join via Zoom: https://uiu.zoom.us/j/86236492291.

 

The recording will be accessible on myUIU.

 

International Coffee Hour - Student Center - September 19th - 2:00 PM

Come enjoy some tasty treats! Bring your UIU ID

Faculty, staff and students are welcome to gather over coffee and cake for the first International Coffee Hour of the academic year. Join us at the Student Center Commons on Thursday, September 19th at 2:00pm.

Back by popular demand, we are excited to enjoy tres leche cake this month!

 

Resources

Hispanic Organizations

  • The Queen Sofia Spanish Institute is a nonprofit established to stimulate interest in the United States about the art, culture, customs, language, literature, and history of the Spanish-speaking world.
  • The National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) is the hub of a national network of more than 120 mission-driven organizations that are anchor institutions in geographically and ethnically diverse Latino communities in 40 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico. Members of the NALCAB Network invest in their communities by building affordable housing, addressing gentrification, supporting small business growth, and providing financial counseling on issues such as credit building and homeownership. A majority of the people served by the NALCAB Network are low- to moderate-income individuals who are immigrants, or the children of immigrants.
  • United We Dream: For undocumented immigrants living in the U.S., facing discrimination can lead to living in fear. United We Dream works to transform that fear into finding a voice. They empower immigrant youth to develop their leadership, their organizing skills, and to develop their own campaigns at the local, state, and federal levels to fight for justice and dignity for immigrants and all people.
  • The Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund:  a national nonprofit organization with the principal objective of protecting and promoting the civil rights of U.S. Latinos through litigation, advocacy, educational outreach and the awarding of law scholarships.
  • The Committee for Hispanic Families and Children aims to improve the quality of life for Hispanic children and families with programs that meet the needs of low-income Hispanic families and children in such critical areas as youth development, child care, HIV/AIDS prevention and education, immigrant services, public policy and advocacy.
  • National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA): The mission of the National Hispanic Medical Association is to improve the health of Hispanics and other underserved populations.
  • The Latino Equality Alliance (LEA): Their mission is to promote liberty, equality, and justice for the Latina/o lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community. As a non-profit organization with a strong focus on family acceptance, LGBT equality, and immigration reform; LEA engages Latina/o LGBT community leaders and organizations in direct action organizing to address issues of bullying, homophobia, xenophobia, family separation, violence against youth, homelessness, high health risk behaviors and HIV/AIDS.
  • The Latino Restaurant Association: Promotes, supports and educates restaurateurs and small business owners to ensure the equitable economic growth of the Latino restaurant sector.
  • Therapy for LatinX: A database of therapists who either identify as LatinX or have worked closely with LatinX communities and understands their needs.
  • NAMI’s Compartiendo Esperanza: This bilingual 90-minute presentation aims to increase mental health awareness in Latino communities by addressing key topics such as signs and symptoms of mental health disorders like anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and depression.
  • Unidos US, formerly the National Council of La Raza: Conducts policy analysis and advocacy activities in the civil rights arena in order to promote and protect equality of opportunity in voting, justice issues, education, employment, housing, and health care for all Americans.
  • MANA – A National Latina Organization: A national grassroots membership organization with chapters, individual members and affiliates across the country. MANA represents the interests of Latina women, youth and families on issues that impact our communities.

Virtual Tours

Visit the National Gallery of Art over Hispanic Heritage Month: National Hispanic American Heritage Month 2023 (hispanicheritagemonth.gov)

Molina Family Latino Center at Smithsonian  is scheduled to open in summer 2022. You can see preview of exhibits at Events | Latino Center (si.edu)

360° panoramas – Virtual tours around the world – WorldTour360.com

Take a Hispanic Virtual Field Trip Around the World! • Bilingually Yours take a trip around the world to Spanish-speaking countries courtesy of bilinguallyyours.com with one major landmark per country.

El Museo del Barrio | visit El Museo – leading Latino cultural institution in NY

Argentina

Experience Buenos Aires, Argentina in Virtual Reality. (youvisit.com)  Virtual tour thru Buenos Aires

A video stroll through MALBA, one of Argentina’s Premier Museums (wander-argentina.com) Tour of MALBA  Museo de Arte Latinoamericano de Buenos Aires  

Chile 

Tour Virtual MHN National Historical Museum in Chile

¡Discover Chile now! I Chile Travel

Colombia 

Museum of Contemporary Art Bogotá, Bogota, Colombia — Google Arts & Culture

Dominican Republic 

Dominican Republic | Has it all (drvirtualcountry.com) visit this page for everything DR

El Salvador 

Dreams of Dalí – Salvador Dalí Museum (thedali.org) visit the Dali museum in El Salvador and download Dreams of Dali to one of the popular virtual platforms

Guatemala

360° Photos of Guatemala w/ drone / 360° fotos de Guatemala con drone (dondroneguatemala.com) visit Guatemala with 360 drone tours

Experience Antigua, Guatemala in Virtual Reality. (youvisit.com) 360 ° views of the architecture of Guatemala

Honduras 

Copan Ruinas Honduras // Mayan Ruins Private Tour – Bing video

Roatan Honduras (fullscreen360.com) Roatan Honduras – Take a virtual tour of Roatan and see why this Honduras island is such a popular travel destination

Mexico 

Museo de Arte Moderno (inba.gob.mx) Museum of Modern Art Mexico

Virtual Tour – Frida Kahlo Museum (museofridakahlo.org.mx) -Absolutely fantastic site for fans of Frida Kahlo. Vibrant colors, tons of photos. A must-see!

National Museum of Mexican Art, Chicago, United States — Google Arts & Culture Learn more about Mexican culture with online exhibits

Nicaragua 

Experience Nicaragua in Virtual Reality. (youvisit.com) Experience Nicaragua in virtual reality

Spain

History of the Temple – Sagrada Família – Sagrada Familia A large unfinished Roman Catholic basilica in Barcelona, designed by Antoni Gaudi

Visita Virtual – La Pedrera (Casa Milà)  Fantasitc tour for an architecture or interior design fans. La Pedrera allows seeing Gaudi’s architectural wonders. Easy to use. (That one is awesome)

Collection – Museo Nacional del Prado (museodelprado.es)  Museum of Art in Madrid Finest collection of European art from 12th to 20th century.

Buscar | Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía (museoreinasofia.es) Queen Sofia National Museum of 20th-century art.

Tour Virtual de la Catedral – Catedral de Sevilla (lacatedraldesevilla.org)  Absolutely stunning tour of Seville Cathedral. Next best thing unless possible to visit in person.

Highlights from the Collection | Museu Picasso | The website of Barcelona city (bcn.cat)

This site offers virtual tours of some of the works of Picasso.

Puerto Rico

Outdoors | Discover Puerto Rico

Lear about a few Puerto Rican artists and their works at the Smithsonian American Art Museum: Puerto Rico | U.S. States | Smithsonian American Art Museum (si.edu)

Learn more about Puerto Rican history, heritage and landmarks: Puerto Rico – History and Heritage | Travel | Smithsonian Magazine

uiu-library

UIU Library Resources
on Hispanic Heritage and History