Every day we appreciate having opportunities to connect people with stories that reflect their own experiences. Darien is a better place to call home thanks to our Latin American neighbors, colleagues, and friends. The Library celebrates year-round the vibrant cultural heritage of Latin American members. We are honored to be part of the continuous process of building a more inclusive community together.
History of Hispanic Heritage Month
The United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th through October 15th each year. "It is with special pride that I call the attention of my fellow citizens to the great contribution to our national heritage made by our people of Hispanic descent" (Proclamation 3869 by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968). The celebration was then extended to a month in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush in Proclamation 6021.
Yuyi Morales
Mexican American Morales is a children's fantasy book author and illustrator. She won the 2015 Caldecott Honor for Viva Frida. She has won numerous other awards for work and has worked on 16 books.
Source
Photo by Larry D. Moore via CC BY-SA 4.0
Oscar Issac
Guatemalan American Issac is an actor who has appeared in 45 movies, 5 television shows, 3 video games, 1 podcast, and 6 plays. He has been nominated and won numerous awards including a Golden Globe for "Show Me a Hero."
Source
Photo by Gage Skidmore via CC BY-SA 3.0
Isabel Allende
Chilean American Allende is a writer who was named by the Latin American Herald Tribune as "the world's most widely read Spanish-language author" with 25 novels. She was a 2014 receipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Source
Photo by Lesekreis via CC BY-SA 4.0
George Meléndez Wright
Salvadorian American Wright who thought of and conducted a survey of animals for the National Park Service. He died in a car accident at age 31. "Had he lived, Wright likely would have become one of America’s most influential conservationists."
Steve Van Buren
Honduran American Van Buren was a halfback for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1944 to 1951. He held NFL records for rushing attempts, rushing yards, and rushing touchdowns at his retirement in 1951. He was a coach and is listed in several Halls of Fame.
Ellen Ochoa
Mexican American Ochoa is an engineer, was the first Hispanic woman in space, and was the director of the Johnson Space Center. She currently serves as a committee chair for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation.
Ricardo Antonio Olea
Chilean American Olea is a research mathematical statistician with the United States Geological Survey. His interests range across a number of geostatistics including energy resources assessment, lithostratigraphy, and marine geology among others.
Source
Photo by Salani via CC BY-SA 3.0
Rita Moreno
Independence Day Declarations
- Chile: September 18, 1810
- Costa Rica: September 15, 1821
- El Salvador: September 15, 1821
- Guatemala: September 15, 1821
- Honduras: September 15, 1821
- Mexico: September 16, 1810
- Nicaragua: September 15, 1821
Music
Playlist curated by María.
