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National Hispanic Heritage Month (NHHM) begins Sept. 15 and runs through Oct. 15. This month offers an opportunity to explore the stories and perspectives of those who identify as members of the Hispanic and Latinx community. The library aims to include such topics in programming and content throughout the year, and this month serves as a chance to focus our efforts.
NHHM began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week. President Lyndon B. Johnson designated the week in response to efforts by legislators amid the increased focus on representation sparked by the Civil Rights Movement. Decades later, President Ronald Reagan, again building upon the efforts of legislators, transitioned the week to a monthlong period. In 1989, President George H.W. Bush became the first president to proclaim NHHM, and President Joseph R. Biden renewed this annual proclamation in 2022 and again in 2023. The start date of Sept. 15 was selected for its historical significance to multiple Latin American countries, as several celebrate their independence days on or near Sept. 15. Mexico celebrates its independence on Sept. 16, while Chile observes theirs on Sept. 18. As this variation indicates, NHHM highlights a broad and diverse group of peoples, including those with ancestry linked to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
A note on terminology: both “Hispanic” and “Latino” are widely used general terms for people with ancestry from these regions, “Latina,” “Latinx” and “Latine” are also in use, with differing opinions about their meaning and interchangeability. While the month is officially known as National Hispanic Heritage Month, the library frequently uses both “Hispanic” and “Latinx” to stay current with national conversations about language. As always with terminology of this nature, it is recommended to defer to the preferences of the person or people who are members of a given community.
2024 Programs at the Library
At the Festival Cultural Latino on Sept. 15, a major intergenerational event in the town’s annual calendar, the rich cultural life of Princeton’s Latino community is celebrated with an afternoon of music, dance, food and crafts on both Hinds Plaza and Palmer Square. Hinds Plaza will be transformed into a traditional marketplace with a variety of artisans and vendors displaying their wares. A DJ will provide a soundtrack highlighting the music of Latin America and pop up performances by musicians and dancers will occur throughout the afternoon. Palmer Square will host music and dance performances on their stage all afternoon and local non-profits will provide activities and crafts for kids. Confirmed performers include Mariachi Los Tigres de Princeton, Alborada Dance Company, Sonqo, and Princeton Capoeira. This event is co-sponsored by Mi Pueblo Lindo, Princeton Public Library, McCarter Theatre Center, Lewis Center for the Arts, Princeton Latin American Student Association, Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton University Department of Spanish and Portuguese, and Princeton University Program in Latin American Studies. Supporting Partners also include the Garden Theatre of Princeton and the Princeton YMCA.
On Sept. 23, the artist 7ove Child discusses the inspiration and technique behind “Phases of the Heart,” the exhibition on view in the library’s Reading Room. Cheng-Fen Johannemann joins the event also, in order to discuss “Chinese Brush Painting,” which appears along the History Hallway and in the Tech Center. A tour of artwork and reception follow the artists’ talks.
A special feature of “Dancing Under The Stars” on Sept. 27, the last chance to enjoy this program in 2024, highlights dances and music from Latin America as part of the library’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. Members of Central Jersey Dance demonstrate basic steps and lead others in an evening of dancing to recorded music of all kinds on Hinds Plaza, weather permitting. In case of rain, the event moves into the Community Room. “Dancing Under the Stars” is presented in partnership with the Mayors Wellness Campaign community health initiative.
A panel on Sept. 30 exploring the newly published “Latino Poetry: the Library of America Anthology” launches the library’s programming for “Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home,” a major public humanities initiative taking place across the nation in 2024 and 2025, directed by Library of America and funded with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities and Emerson Collective. Moderated by Vivia Font, the panel includes Rigoberto Gonzalez, editor of the anthology and principal humanities advisor for the “Places We Call Home” project; Vincent Toro, humanities advisor for the “Places We Call Home” project; and Newark-based poet and multidisciplinary artist Dimitri Reyes. The panel is set to occur in person in the Community Room and to be livestreamed via YouTube. Virtual attendees may place questions in advance through registration. Registration is requested, but not required for in-person attendance.
Following this panel, a series of four discussions this fall continues the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month into October and beyond. Hosted by the library and facilitated by Enriqueta Carrington and Carlos Hernández Peña, each discussion is based upon the “Places We Call Home” Project Reader, which features representative poems selected to bring out eight themes integral to the tradition of Latino poetry as well as essays by notable experts on each of the themes. These themes are treated in pairs as follows: “Ancestry & Identity” and “First & Second Homes” on Oct. 9; “Voice & Resistance” and “Language / Lenguaje” on Oct. 23; “Family and Community” and “Music and Performance” on Nov. 6; and “Labor” and “Earth, Landscape, and Myth” on Nov. 20. Meetings are scheduled for 6-7:30 p.m,. and registered participants may join the program in person or through Zoom. This poetry discussion series is also presented as part of the “Latino Poetry: Places We Call Home” initiative’s celebration and exploration of the multifaceted legacy of Latino poetry.
Learn about Hispanic and Latinx History and Experiences
See below for lists of nonfiction and fiction geared toward adult readers and centered around Hispanic and Latinx experiences and perspectives.
For teens and kids, below are lists of books that highlight varied narratives and perspectives of those in the Hispanic and Latinx community.
Online resources include:
- Materials from the National Archives and Records Administration
- Resources from the Library of Congress
- Information from the National Park Service
- Collections and activities from Google Arts and Culture
Resources for Educators
See the materials below for potential starting points for engaging learners. You’ll find lesson plans, digital tools, digital content, curricula, and more.
- Teacher resources from the National Endowment for the Humanities
- Resources from the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Latino
- Teacher’s guide from Salud America!
- Resources from Ebsco
- Lessons and activities from the National Education Association
- Ideas for teachers from the Anti-Defamation League
- Resources from Facing Today, the blog of Facing History and Ourselves
This resource is made possible in part with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.