Hispanic Heritage Month
Published on September 15, 2024
During National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the histories and cultures of American citizens whose ancestors hail from Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and Spain and Portugal are celebrated, with the starting date coinciding with several Latin American nations recognizing their independence on Sept. 15.
Hispanic culture has deeply enriched American culture—be it through food, art, music or the substantial contributions of millions of American citizens of Hispanic descent.
A key element of Lakewood's Community Dialogue on Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is celebrating the diversity of cultures that Lakewood is proud to have as part of its community. The Hispanic population in the United States is our nation’s largest racial or ethnic minority at nearly 19% of the total population, and over 36% of Lakewood residents are of Hispanic origin according to the latest Census figures. The City of Lakewood proudly joins thousands of public and private organizations in paying tribute to National Hispanic Heritage Month.
On behalf of the Lakewood City Council, Mayor Todd Rogers has issued a proclamation(PDF, 582KB) in recognition of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Resources to learn more
HispanicHeritageMonth.gov, a collaborative web portal project between multiple agencies including the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian and National Archives, offers a trove of information related to the commemoration, including special exhibits and collections, audio, videos and images.
Staff in the Library of Congress’s Hispanic Reading Room help researchers find materials on and from the Caribbean, Latin America, Spain and Portugal; the indigenous cultures of those areas; and persons with Portuguese or Spanish heritage in Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas—including within the United States. Luckily, you don’t have to be in Washington D.C. to enjoy access-- the library’s comprehensive research guides are readily available online.
Local library resources
For youth ages 12-18, the Iacoboni Library will hold a Mini Piñata Making event on Oct. 3 at 4 p.m. where youth can create their own mini piñata, filling it with treats and learning about the origins of this celebratory tradition. Attendance is limited and advance registration is required. Register with library staff or online at www.Visit.LACountyLibrary.org/Events and filter by location.
For younger kids ages 6-12, the Iacoboni Library will celebrate the month with a reading of “A Crown for Corina” by Laekan Zea Kemp, a story about a girl who learns a beloved family tradition and the symbolism behind the Mexican flower crown. Then make your own flower crown to take home. No registration required.
And for very young children, age two and younger, the Iacoboni Library will hold a Baby Band Practice on Oct. 10 from 10 to 10:30 a.m. Music helps your baby’s brain make more learning connections, build fine and gross motor skills, and teach social skills. Come play with library staff and celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with music from all over the world! Registration required at the website above.
The George Nye Jr. Library is temporarily closed for renovations.
Los Angeles County Library
The Los Angeles County Library has compiled a variety of resources to learn, watch, read and get crafty during National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Explore the L.A. County Library's Hispanic Heritage Month webpage.