September 15th to October 15th is National Hispanic/Latin Heritage Month. Learn more about the varied and rich Hispanic/Latin culture and consider celebrating with some traditional Hispanic foods, music, or shows! Details below!
What countries are Hispanic?
Hispanic is a term used to denote the culture and people of Spain and countries formerly ruled by the Spanish Empire, most of which speak the Spanish language. These are often collectively known as Hispanic America; this definition includes Mexico, most of the Central and South American countries, and most of the Greater Antilles.
Latin, on the other hand, refers to persons or communities of Latin American origin. While there is a significant overlap between the groups, Brazilians are a good example of Latinos who are not Hispanic.
Learn more about Hispanic/Latin cultural norms below.
- Family: Plays a central role, so they spend much of their time cultivating and strengthening family ties.
- Etiquette: A hug and a kiss on the cheek are very common practices for close friends or relatives
- Religion: More than 90% of the world that speaks Spanish is Roman Catholic, and religion plays a significant role in Hispanic daily activity.
- Group orientation: Latinos tend to be more concerned with the goals of the group and group harmony.
- Time is relative: Human needs are more important; deadlines can be changed.
- Communication is indirect: if it upsets, don’t say it. Averting one’s eyes shows respect.
Check out the following important contributions and inventions from the Hispanic/Latin community below:
- Color TV, invented by Mexican engineer Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena.
- Wireless Phone, first developed by Roberto Landell de Moura, Brazilian Catholic priest in the late 1800s.
- Electric brakes, invented by engineer Mexican Victor Ochoa in the early 1900s.
- The submarine, invented by Spaniard engineer Isaac Peral in the late 1800s.
- First artificial heart, developed by Argentinian surgeon Domingo Liotta in the late 1950s.
- Other Hispanic/Latin inventions include the stents used to treat cardiovascular disease, X-ray microscope, semi-automatic rifle, the e-book, transdermal drug patch, contraceptive pills, the laryngoscope, neonatal artificial bubble, and a device to measure the seismic waves.
Hispanic/Latin people love fun and celebrations! Celebrate their culture in the following fun ways!
- Celebrate with music from Hispanic and Latino musicians like Jennifer Lopez, Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin, Christina Aguilera, Marc Anthony, Albert Hammond Jr., Celia Cruz, Mariah Carey, Vanessa Hudgens, Selena, Carlos Santana, and Bruno Mars (born Peter Gene Hernandez), who have conquered the music world by breaking barriers in many genres.
- Celebrate with Latin music styles: salsa, rumba, samba, tango, cumbia, reggaeton, or bossa nova (Brazilian jazz):
- Celebrate by viewing artwork from famous Hispanic painters:
- Pablo Picasso: the co-founder of the cubist art movement.
- Salvador Dali: One of the most best-known surrealist artists of all time.
- Frida Kahlo: Self-taught surrealist/magical realist painter.
- Try some Hispanic/Latin food: This cuisine has become popularized and is widely accessible in American culture. These are some of the most common Hispanic/Latin food staples you can celebrate with:
- Tacos, salsa, fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, and stuffed peppers, all of which originated in Mexico
- Paella from Spain, Ceviche from Peru, Empanadas from Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Spain.
- Sweet endings such as arroz con leche (rice pudding), tres leches cake, flan, churros.
- Check out some other delicious Hispanic/Latin dishes here.
- Not the cooking type? Support a local Hispanic/Latin restaurant in your area!
- Don’t forget happy hour!
- Try a Margarita (invented in Mexico) or Piña Colada (invented in Puerto Rico).
- Watch a Hispanic/Latin movie like one of the following:
- Stand and Deliver, McFarland USA, Coco, My Family, Quinceañera, Real Women Have Curves, Selena, Underwater Dreams, Like Water for Chocolate, The Book of Life.
- Have a fresh coffee: The beans are probably from Brazil or Colombia!