Pierce Library: Book Displays: Latine Heritage Month

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September 15 - October 15 is Latine Heritage Month!

Pierce Library invites you to join us in celebrating Latine Heritage Month!

Each year, the United States of America observes "National Hispanic Heritage Month" from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens and noncitizens from--or with ancestors from--Mexico, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15th and ending on October 15th. The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for many Latin American countries.

Latino (or Latina) is defined as "a person of Latin American descent residing in the United States." This is not to be confused with Latin Americans, which refers to the people actually living in Latin America presently. The term "hispanic" was adopted by the U.S. government in the 1970s to give people from Latin America a common identity. However, "hispanic" refers only to Spanish-speaking countries, and therefore excludes a big part of the region. The emerging terms of "Latinx" or Latine are recommended as a gender-neutral approach to include trans, queer, and other non-binary identities; we have chosen to use Latine here because it is gender-inclusive and flows more easily in both Spanish and English.

Below, you will find books and other resources that celebrate and explore various Latine cultures and histories. Happy Latine Heritage Month, Brahmas!

Nonfiction

Memoirs & Essays

Fiction

Poetry

Recommended Websites

National Hispanic Heritage Month
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
Hispanic Heritage Month - National Museum of the American Latino
The Smithsonian is building the National Museum of the American Latino to recognize the accomplishments, history, and culture of Latino communities in the U.S.
Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Resources - PBS
Hear and see an array of Hispanic and Latino voices and stories in this collection of PBS programs and documentaries.

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