Hispanic Heritage Month has been honored annually in the United States since 1968 when President Lyndon Johnson first launched it as Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration to last the four weeks from September 15th to October 15th. Hispanic Heritage Month commemorates the histories, cultures, and contributions of Latinx people whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central, and South America.
We know that just one descriptor can hardly capture the spirit and cultures of so many people who descend from a vast geography that includes present-day Southwestern U.S. states to the southern most tip of South America, and nearly every present-day country and island in between. This is why you'll see many different ways in which people describe themselves and their heritage. You'll see the terms Latina, Latino, and their non-gendered versions Latine and Latinx. You might also see people identify as Hispanic, Chicano, Tejano, Taino, Isleños, Boricua, Afro-Latino, in addition to the many more terms used for people who have families and ancestors in the 22 nations and territories that comprise Latin America.
Hear and see an array of voices and stories in this collection of programs and documentaries. We hope you see yourself represented.
WNED PBS pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have enriched American society and culture with programs airing on WNED PBS and streaming online.
Sin Fronteras WNY and Buffalo Toronto Public Media recently launched the Latino radio station on 88.7 WBFO HD3. Listen to Radio Bilingüe on 88.7 WBFO HD3. It is now available to stream via the website, smart speakers, and our apps!
WBFO The Bridge is featuring Hispanic artists throughout September and October to continue the celebration.
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, WNED Classical will showcase the work and the stories of Hispanic and Latino Americans who have helped make music what it is today. From the great composers to the performers that bring the music to life, we look forward to sharing it all with you in September and October on WNED Classical.
VOCES
Join actor John Leguizamo on a quest to uncover Latino and Latina heroes and their contributions. In this new three-part series, Leguizamo takes viewers on a captivating journey, delving into both well-known and lesser-known stories of Latino history, spanning thousands of years, from the Ancient Empires to the present, and shining a light on the rich and often overlooked history of Latinos.
Western New York and Southern Ontario have profound cultural and historical roots in Latinx history and contain a multitude of cultural and business centers, community organizations, and historic locations. To celebrate the significance and influence of Hispanic history and culture in our region, we have put together an interactive map of historic sites for the community to learn about and visit these significant spaces in history. Click on the icon at the top left of the map will reveal the list. Click on the icon at the top left of the map will reveal the list. Click on each location to explore.
El oeste de Nueva York y el sur de Ontario tienen profundas raíces culturales e históricas en la historia latina y contienen una multitud de centros culturales y comerciales, organizaciones comunitarias y lugares históricos. Para celebrar la importancia e influencia de la historia y la cultura hispana en nuestra región, hemos creado un mapa interactivo de sitios históricos para que la comunidad pueda aprender sobre estos espacios significativos y visitarlos. Haz clic en el ícono en la esquina superior izquierda del mapa para revelar la lista. Haz clic en cada ubicación para explorar.
From Puerto Rico to Buffalo, Casimiro Rodriguez's journey celebrates Hispanic heritage.
Raíces Theatre Company: Amplifying Buffalo's Latine voices through powerful performances.
Discover the story of Jaime Nunó and Buffalo’s surprising tie to Mexico’s National Anthem.
Radio Bilingüe is the leading Latino public radio network and Spanish content producer in US public media. Sin Fronteras WNY and Buffalo Toronto Public Media launched the Latino radio station on 88.7 WBFO HD3. Listeners in Western New York and Southern Ontario can listen to Radio Bilingüe on HD radio or stream it on wbfo.org/radio-bilingue, our apps and smart speakers. Listen to Sin Fronteras WNY: A Radio Show for the WNY Latino Saturdays at 10am, repeated Sundays at 8pm and Fridays at 1pm.
Radio Bilingüe offers a wide range of programming around the clock: vibrant music, news and information, and forums for Latino voices. In Spanish, English, Mixteco and Triqui, Radio Bilingüe fosters inclusive dialogue. The programming centers Latino arts, culture, and languages as the fabric of our communities, and puts critical information in the hands of audiences often ignored by other media
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the deep Mexican roots of talk show host Mario Lopez and comedian Melissa Villaseñor, uncovering ancestors stretching back to the 1500s. Watch Thursday, September 26 at 2am.
The story of Jose Lezama Lima is a portrait of a writer's life and struggle for artistic freedom. Watch Thursday, September 26 at 3am.
Join John Leguizamo as he examines the ancient civilizations of pre-Columbian America. Watch Friday, September 27 at 9pm and Saturday, September 28 at 5:30pm.
Follow the story of the first undocumented attorney to argue a case before the Supreme Court. Watch Friday, September 27 at 10pm and Monday, October 7 at 9pm.
See how Cesar Chavez and the farmworkers’ movement were influenced by music and the arts. Watch Saturday, September 28 at 3pm.
In 1942, the murder of a young Mexican-American man ignited a firestorm in Los Angeles. Watch Saturday, September 28 at 4:30pm.
Edgar and Sara explore Oaxaca; Beto visits taquerias; Discada has a pop-up in Houston. Watch Saturday, September 28 at 10:30pm and Tuesday, October 1 at 4:30am.
Edgar and Sara recap their wedding; Beto discusses health issues; Discada hosts a pop-up. Watch Saturday, September 28 at 11pm.
The Taco Mafia reflects on past fundraising efforts to support team members in times of need. Watch Saturday, September 28 at 11:30pm.
Ballet Hispánico explores Evita Perón's life and diverging legacies. Watch Sunday, September 29 at 5pm.
Starting in the 1930s and continuing for decades, farmers in the Red River Valley of North Dakota and Minnesota depended on Hispanic field workers-laborers from Texas and Mexico. Now, one and two generations later, this community has contributed its own cultural stamp to the region's art, cuisine, diversity, and economy. Watch Monday, September 30 at 12:30am.
Ancient clues and modern science answer the question: who were America’s First Peoples? Watch Monday, September 30 at 1am.
Explore the rise of great American nations, from monarchies to democracies. Watch Monday, September 30 at 2am.
Discover the cosmological secrets behind America’s ancient cities. Watch Monday, September 30 at 3am.
Discover how resistance, survival and revival are revealed. Watch Monday, September 30 at 4am.
Edgar and Sara fly to Oaxaca; Beto tours a tortilleria; Anthony and Xose get lunch. Watch Tuesday, October 1 at 4am.
Explore how Latino DNA has been pivotal to the identity of the U.S. since before her inception. Highlighting key figures and events, host John Leguizamo shows how Latinos helped create the nation we know today. Watch Friday, October 4 at 9pm and Saturday, October 5 at 5:30pm.
Taco Mafia follows a group of Austin taqueros as they support each other’s businesses. Watch back-to-back episodes Saturday, October 5 beginning at 10:30pm.
A diva returns to South America to perform at Manaus—and to search for her lost lover. Watch Sunday, October 6 at 2:30pm.
Native innovators lead a revolution in music, building, and space exploration. Watch Monday, October 7 at 1am.
Celebrate and honor the warrior spirit with the men and women who live the legacy. Watch Monday, October 7 at 2am.
Celebrate Native women and how they lead, inspire, and innovate in the worlds of arts & politics. Watch Monday, October 7 at 3am.
Experience the fight of Native Americans to keep their languages and ways of life alive. Watch Monday, October 7 at 4am.
Host John Leguizamo discovers that while Latinos were often relegated to the fringes of mainstream society, they made profound contributions to the nation and that Latino history is the history of the United States. Watch Friday, October 11 at 9pm and Saturday, October 12 at 5:30pm.
Meet a Salvadoran-American family caught up in the contentious fight over immigration policy. Watch Saturday, October 12 at 4pm.
The five-act French version of Verdi's epic opera of doomed love among royalty is presented. Watch Sunday, October 13 at 2:30pm.
Geoffrey Baer travels to Havana, Cuba and visits with dancers, musicians, architects and writers. Watch Monday, October 14 at 9pm.
Rita Moreno has the time of her life on stage and screen
The PEGOT (Peabody, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award) winner is an absolute treasure. Actress and singer Rita Moreno fought typecasting and industry pressure to go on to be the first Latino to win an Oscar, Tony, Emmy and a Grammy. Moreno gives her Brief But Spectacular take on a lifetime in show business in this PBS News Hour segment. Watch the documentary, Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For Itfrom American Masters.
Johnny Rodriguez would become the first Mexican-American to be a major country music star.
Johnny Rodriguez loved mariachi and was drawn to the country music songs of Hank Williams, Merle Haggard, and Jimmie Rodgers. Singing in both Spanish and English, he went on to have 15 consecutive Top 10 hits. Rodriguez is one of the many stories you'll hear in Ken Burns' latest film: Country Music.
Sandra Cisneros unravels her family stories in Finding Your Roots.
In her award-winning novel, The House on Mango Street, author Sandra Cisneros wrote about growing up in Chicago in a way that connected with the hearts of multi-cultural children everywhere. Her writing stirs up pride and appreciation for readers' shared Hispanic roots. In this clip from our archives, Cisneros learns more about her own past with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. on Finding Your Roots.
Exploring 1960s music history when Bugaloo defined a new generation of urban Latinos.
Before boogaloo songs were sampled in today's popular music, they were the sound of a new generation, of the previously unheard voices of urban multi-cultural artists in New York. Just try to watch this America ReFramed documentary without breaking into a dance.
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Premiering in 2013, The Latino Americans was the first major documentary series for television to chronicle the rich and varied history and experiences of Latinos, who have helped shape North America over the last 500-plus years and have become, with more than 62 million people, the largest minority group in the U.S.
Latinos Are Essential is a collection of unique and insightful short portraits and stories about Latinos who are serving as essential workers in a wide variety of jobs and/or services across the United States, even as the COVID 19 pandemic continues to disproportionately impact Latino and other communities of color.
Meet Diana & Edgar, who share their love of traditional Colombian cuisine in Buffalo, NY.
Jovita Idar was a Latina journalist who worked for an end to segregation and racism.
Roberto Clemente was a role model for Latinos in the United States.
Gloria Estefan habla de su herencia cubana
Ynés Mexía became one of the most accomplished plant collectors of her time.
El Gato Feo -- a Spanish language, western drama short film about two estranged sisters, Luisa and Adelita. In 1915 Mexico, Luisa runs for her life from Pancho Villa's Army. She encounters Adelita, the leader of a small, military unit of women, who must decide if she will hold on to her resentments towards Luisa or help her sister cross the Rio Grande River into Texas.
A widow discovers her estranged sister fighting for a unit of female freedom fighters.
El Piasa -- After being rescued by a charismatic vaquero on the streets of East L.A., gay goth skater Fernando must put an end to closeted young love, leading to personal transformation and a newfound connection to familia.
Learn more about the filmmaker Daniel Eduvijes Carrera in this Q&A conducted by Latino Public Broadcasting.
Fernando must put an end to closeted young love, leading to a newfound connection to familia.
Discover the candid perspectives of Latine actors, writers, producers, directors, and showrunners across generations as they dissect the ever-evolving issue of Latine representation in Hollywood. Featuring Edward James Olmos, John Leguizamo, Xolo Maridueña ("Cobra Kai"), and Julissa Calderon ("Gentefied"), Peter Murrieta ("Mr. Iglesias"), Marvin Lemus ("Gentefied") and more.
This film was awarded a 2022 Imagen Award for Best Short Film!
Celebrate the incredible impact Latinos have made in Hollywood — past, present and future.
Let's be honest, food is one of the most delightful ways to learn about one's culture. Food is love! Each ingredient is a note in the song that tells the history and movement of a people. The different flavors of the many Hispanic and Latino communities tell us about the environment, the pace of life, and the celebrations. And of course, there are dishes that will transport us home with just one bite. We could talk about food and how meaningful it is all day long so let us stop here and serve up some programs and documentaries that highlight the food and recipes of Hispanic and Latino cultures.
Meet Diana & Edgar, who share their love of traditional Colombian cuisine in Buffalo, NY.
Table For All explores Latin American communities and cultures in the Tri-State area.
Pati spends a day in Hermosillo, visiting some of the city’s best culinary destinations.
Chef Pati Jinich learns why Brownsville is known for tacos.
Let’s talk about Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month! Yes, we’ve been celebrating since 1988 when President Ronald Regan expanded President Lyndon Johnson’s Hispanic Heritage Week. But what does Hispanic even mean? What about Latino? Glad you asked.
When we say “Hispanic” we refer to people whose families come from Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. Latin America is what we understand to be South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean islands where Romance languages (like Spanish, Portuguese, and French) are spoken. Your linguist and polyglot friends will explain to you that Romance languages are Latin-based, that they are evolutions of Latin, hence Latin America
When we say “Latino” we refer to people whose ancestors are from one or more of the 22 countries and territories in Latin America. We use both Hispanic and Latino to be inclusive, because people from French and Portuguese-speaking countries like Brazil and Haiti are not Hispanic but share many cultural traditions and commonalities with Spanish-speaking Latin Americans.
This is how we understand these identifying words today. But language is a living and ever-changing concept. And we create new words and definitions to match how we choose to describe ourselves and find solidarity with one other. For example, we hear more and more people use the word "Latine" as a way to describe people of Latin American descent without designating any one gender to a group of people. It is another way to be more inclusive with our language.
We also know that all of this is complicated and that some people interpret these broad terms negatively and exclusionary because they leave out the many Indigenous communities throughout Latin America who have sustained their languages, cultures, and traditions despite colonization’s efforts to eliminate them. We understand that no one term could ever accurately capture the diversity within all of Latin America and the many traditions each community has carried with them throughout the diaspora.
It's not perfect, but we do hope to find the words that celebrate and uplift the incredible history and bright future of the Latin American diaspora in the United States.
Danielle traces the origin of the term Latino, Hispanic, and Latinx.
PBS LearningMedia makes it easy for teachers to integrate Hispanic Heritage Month into their lessons with a trove of curriculum-aligned videos, activities and lesson plans. These resources are designed to help students deepen their awareness of Hispanic American and Latino artists, educators, icons, and everyday people while also building a foundational understanding of the Spanish language.
Hispanic Heritage Month | All About the Holidays
Grades: K-4
There are about 54 million Hispanics and Latinos in the United States. That's a lot of people to celebrate! Use this video to show how Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated across the country with festivals and community events recognizing the contributions of Hispanics and Latinos in the United States.
Flamenco Dance Studio Filed Trip
Grades: Pre-K-3
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage and learn about Flamenco! Join Penny and the KidVision VPK kids at a Flamenco lesson. Learn about Spanish dance movements and music. Come with us and clap, snap, stomp, and express emotions with your bodies. Olé.
Grades: K-3
Salsa is an award-winning Spanish language series for young learners in kindergarten through the third grade. Puppets in familiar stories, digital graphics and animation teach the language.
Grades: K-2
Oh Noah! is designed to teach Spanish to children ages six to eight through animated videos with embedded games that help build vocabulary. Additionally, this collection includes family activity guides and a teacher webinar.
Grades: 6-12
This collection of lesson plans, videos and classroom resources invites teachers and students to explore the history, people and issues chronicled in the PBS series, Latino Americans. Along the way, it engages students in dramatic real-life stories and offers primary texts that are aligned to the New York standards.
Latino Public Broadcasting Education Collection
Grades: 4-12
Latino Public Broadcasting (LPB) is the leader in the development, production, acquisition and distribution of non-commercial educational and cultural media that is representative of Latino people, or addresses issues of particular interest to Latino Americans. This collection includes educator guides, media resources, a focus on the arts, and an exploration into various historical events.
Inside Latinworks | America by the Numbers
Grades: 6-12
Dive into the Austin-based advertising firm LatinWorks, in this clip from America by the Numbers. Observe as the team puts together their award-winning multicultural ad campaigns.
Supplemental Spanish | Mini-Curriculum
Grades: 3-5
This collection includes 1000 digital resources for educators working with Spanish curriculum for grades 3-5. Each grouping includes a teacher's guide, language worksheets, audio pronunciation guides, videos, and other resources. These resources can be used throughout the school year and easily integrate into basal curriculum.
Beginning Spanish iBook (available on iTunes)
Grades: 3-5
This book brings together twenty five lesson plans with an abundance of brief, in-class activities about topics related to the Spanish language, its vocabulary and grammar, and the richness of the Spanish-speaking world’s culture.
Grades: 9-12
This collection can be used to support viewing of the documentary, The Graduates/Los Graduados, by Bernardo Ruiz, while engaging students in discussions about the struggles and triumphs of Latino and Latina students from across the U.S. and the challenges faced in the American public education system.
