Explore the cultural diversity of Latin America
September 16 marks the anniversary of independence for Los Estados Unidos de México. Every year, celebrations begin on the night of September 15, when hundreds of thousands gather in the Zócalo at the Plaza de la Constitución for the President’s Grito. The Grito is followed by the singing of the national anthem and fireworks. Last […]
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What is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples? It’s a day to celebrate, promote and protect the rights of Indigenous People’s around the world. August 9 was chosen as it was on that day in 1982 a United Nations Working Group first met to discuss the situation of Indigenous Peoples. In keeping with UNESCO’s […]
Read MoreThe Cuban Missile Crisis began on October 15, 1962 with the US discovery of the USSR’s building of medium-range missile sites in Cuba. The resulting stand-off between the world’s two opposing super powers would not end until November of the same year. On October 22, 1962, President John. F. Kennedy announced, in a televised speech […]
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Mexican Independence Day celebrations begin at 11:00 p.m. on the night of September 15. The sitting President of Mexico reenacts the Grito de Dolores from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City. The President even rings the very same bell that was rung by Padre Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla as part of his […]
Read MoreAugust 8, 1955 Fidel Castro forms the “26th of July Movement“, the Cuban revolutionary organization that would dominate the face of Cuban history for more than half a century. July 26, 1953 was the date on which a small group of revolutionaries, led by Fidel Castro, attacked the military Moncada Barracks in Santiago de Cuba. The […]
Read MoreJune 3, 1943: A group of 50-60 from the Los Angeles Naval Reserve Armory attacked anyone perceived to be Hispanic, starting the week-long Zoot Suit Riots. What is a Zoot Suit? A man’s suit of an exaggerated style, characterized by a long, loose jacket with padded shoulders and high-waisted tapering trousers, popular in […]
Read MoreIn the Caribbean, on the French island colony of Martinique, there is a town by the name of Saint Pierre. This town was once dubbed the “Paris of the Caribbean” and was seen as culturally superior to the island’s capital Fort-de-France. St. Pierre lay in the shadow of the massive volcano, Mount Pelée. Most believed the […]
Read MoreConstruction actually began on the Panama Canal in the 1880s, under the guidance of a French construction team. In those days, Panama was still a part of Colombia. After The War of a Thousand Days between the Liberals and Conservatives of Colombia, Panama, with assistance from the United States, emerged as an independent nation. […]
Read MoreThis weekend, many of Mexican origin and descent will celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It is a holiday in, Puebla, Mexico. There will be beers, tequila, margaritas and food galore. There will be parties celebrated in homes and in bars, on the streets and in squares. But what’s the reason for these celebrations? Why is […]
Read MoreApril 24: Spanish-American War- Spain declares war on the United States after rejecting US ultimatum to withdraw from Cuba. April 25: Spanish-American War- The United States declares war on Spain following the sinking of the Battleship USS Maine in Havana harbour on February 15. The Spanish-American War of 1898, saw the independence of Cuba. Some would […]
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