National Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 in the United States will begin on Thursday, September 15th and end on Saturday, October 15th. Unlike other heritage months, Hispanic Heritage Month is a one-month period that covers the second half of one month and the first half of the next month. Link: Why is this?

National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period: It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.

Latin America has contributed many important things to the world, including dances, foods, medicines, and technological inventions.

Dances from Latin America

  • Tango (Argentina)*
  • Los Caporales (Bolivia)
  • Samba (Brazil)*
  • Cueca (Chile)
  • Salsa (USA: Cubana/Colombiana)*
  • Pasillo (Ecuador)
  • Marinera (Perú)
  • Danza Paraguaya (Paraguay)
  • Candombe (Uruguay)
  • Joropo (Venezuela)
  • Rumba (US | Cuba) *
  • Cha Cha Cha (Cuba)*
  • Bachata (República Dominicana)*
  • Merengue (República Dominicana)*
  • Reggaeton (Panamá)*
  • Mambo (Cuba)*
  • Cumbia (Colombia)
  • Brazilian Zouk*
  • Bomba (Puerto Rico)
  • Plena (Puerto Rico)

Dance Sources: South America Backpacker, *Dance US, Wikipedia

Foods from Latin America

  • Potatoes & sweet potatoes
  • Tomatoes
  • Corn
  • Chocolate
  • Squash and pumpkin
  • Chiles (spicy peppers)
  • Peanuts
  • Avocados
  • Climbing beans (pinto, black, lima, etc.)
  • Sunflowers
  • Vanilla bean

Medicines from Latin America

Technological Inventions from Latin America

  • Arts: Photography (Hércules Florence, Brazil), Ballpoint Pen (László József Biró, Argentina), Color TV (Guillermo Gonzalez Camarena, México)
  • Medicine: Neonatal Artificial Bubble (Claudio Castillano Lévano, Perú), Artificial Heart (Domingo Liotta, Argentina), Stent (Julio C. Palmaz, Argentina), Brain-Machine Interfaces (Miguel Nicolelis, Brazil), Contraceptive Pills (co-invented by Luis E. Miramontes, México), Bandage for administering drugs (Alejandro Zaffaroni, Uruguay)
  • Travel: Traffic Lights for the Blind (Mario Dávila, Argentina), Electric Brakes (Victor Ochoa, México), Liquid Fuel Propulsion Engine for Rockets (Pedro Paulet, Perú), Hot Air Balloon (Bartolomeu Lorenço de Gusmão, Brazil)
  • Forensics: Dactyloscopy (fingerprinting) System (Juan Vucetich, Argentina), captcha codes (Luis Von Ahn, Guatemala)

Technology sources: Spanish Academy, We Forum