Hispanic Heritage Month Worksheet Answer Key

Understanding and Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15, is a time to acknowledge and honor the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. This celebration is an opportunity to learn about the history, traditions, and achievements of the Hispanic community.

History of Hispanic Heritage Month

The celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month has its roots in the 1960s, when the United States government sought to recognize the contributions of Hispanic Americans. In 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim a week in September as National Hispanic Heritage Week. Later, in 1988, Congress expanded the celebration to a month, and President Ronald Reagan signed a law that designated September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month.

Why September 15 to October 15?

The dates of Hispanic Heritage Month were chosen to coincide with the independence days of several Latin American countries. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, while September 16 is Mexico’s independence day. Additionally, September 18 is Chile’s independence day, and October 12 is Spain’s National Day.

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

There are many ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, including:

• Learning about Hispanic history and culture
• Attending cultural events and festivals
• Trying traditional Hispanic foods and drinks
• Listening to Hispanic music and watching Hispanic films
• Reading books and articles about Hispanic history and culture

🎉 Note: You can also celebrate by supporting Hispanic-owned businesses and organizations, and by engaging in conversations about social justice and equality for the Hispanic community.

Important Figures in Hispanic History

Here are a few notable Hispanic figures who have made significant contributions to American society:

• Cesar Chavez: A labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers.
• Sonia Sotomayor: A Supreme Court Justice and the first Hispanic person to serve on the Court.
• Lin-Manuel Miranda: A composer, playwright, and actor who created the hit musicals “In the Heights” and “Hamilton.”
• Dolores Huerta: A labor leader and civil rights activist who co-founded the United Farm Workers with Cesar Chavez.

Hispanic Heritage Month Traditions

Some common traditions celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month include:

• Food: Traditional dishes such as tamales, empanadas, and arroz con pollo.
• Music: Genres such as salsa, merengue, and mariachi.
• Dance: Styles such as salsa, flamenco, and bachata.
• Family: Spending time with family and friends, and honoring ancestors and heritage.

Teaching Hispanic Heritage Month in the Classroom

Here are some ideas for teaching Hispanic Heritage Month in the classroom:

• Lesson plans: Develop lesson plans that incorporate Hispanic history and culture.
• Guest speakers: Invite Hispanic guests to speak to the class about their experiences and traditions.
• Food and music: Celebrate with traditional Hispanic food and music.
• Student projects: Assign student projects that allow them to research and present on Hispanic topics.

Classroom Activities

Some classroom activity ideas for Hispanic Heritage Month include:

• Culture fair: Host a culture fair where students can share their own cultural traditions and learn about others.
• History timeline: Create a timeline of Hispanic history and have students add important events and figures.
• Traditional crafts: Have students create traditional Hispanic crafts, such as papel picado or maracas.

Conclusion

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. By learning about Hispanic history and culture, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity of our society and the important role that Hispanic Americans have played in shaping our country.