Written by Mackenzie Manley, Content Specialist, Downtown Main Library
National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15. The commemoration was first declared as a week-long celebration in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and then expanded into a month in 1988.
The celebration’s start, September 15, is significant because it marks the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates their independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.
Join the Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library in celebrating the history, culture, and contributions of this diverse group.
Featured People
Also known as Professor Latinx, Frederick Luis Aldama is an award-winning author and editor of over 60 books. Along with penning over 150 articles and book chapters, Aldama also produced and co-created the first documentary on Latinx comic book superheroes.
Born in Mexico City, his family moved to California when he was a child. He serves as the Jacob & Frances Sanger Mossikr Chair in the Humanities at the University of Texas at Austin and is an adjunct distinguished university professor at Ohio State University. Some of his recent works include children’s books The Adventures of Chupacabra Charlie and Con Papa. His novels include The Absolutely (Almost) True Adventures of Max Rodriguez and Labyrinths Borne.
From Cocinas to Lucha Libre Ringsides
The Absolutely (almost) True Adventures of Max Rodriguez
Nine-time Grammy Award-winning musician and actress Gloria Estefan was born in Havana, Cuba. She has sold over 100 million records, earned an Oscar nomination for “Music of My Heart,” received the American Music Award of Lifetime Achievement and the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, and was the first Latina inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2023. Former President Barack Obama honored Gloria and her husband, Emilio, with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.
George Melendez Wright was the first Salvadoran and Latino in a professional role at the National Park Service (NPS). His wildlife conservation efforts revolutionized sustainability in our National Parks. A biologist, Wright conducted the first scientific survey of fauna for the NPS from 1929 to 1933. In 1933, he became the first Chief of Park Service's Wildlife Division. During his time, he led efforts for each national park to begin surveying and evaluating the status of wildlife to identify issues related to restoration, conflict management, and rare or endangered species.
Wright died at age 31 in a tragic automobile accident. Despite his short time at the NPS, his vision for the parks made a lasting impact, with historian Richard West Sellars calling his work "truly revolutionary."
Fauna of the National Parks of the United States
Featured Events
Flores de papel y Frida Festivities
Honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month on Wednesday, Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. at the Monfort Heights Branch Library. Create flores de papel while learning about the art of Frida Kahlo. Make self-portraits that capture Kahlo's love of flowers.
Journey to Mexico (Tweens/Teens)
Head to the Bond Hill Branch Library at 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 5 to learn about Mexican culture through crafts, games, snacks, and other activities.
Family Craft Night: Papel Picado
Learn about the Mexican artform of Papel Picado on Wednesday, Oct. 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Harrison Branch Library. After taking in the history of the craft, make your own! Recommended for ages 5 and up.
Staff-Recommended Reads
Celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of this diverse group with one of these recent Library reads.
Mackenzie is currently reading "Call Me Vegan" by Halle Burns.
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