The History Center in Tompkins County - Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15th-October 15th

THE HISTORY CENTER BLOG

The History Center blog shares research and findings about local history, excerpts from the History Center Archives, information about upcoming exhibits and other opportunities on how to get involved with The History Center in Tompkins County. To learn more or view the archival materials mentioned, visit us in downtown Ithaca, follow us on social media @TompkinsHistory, or subscribe to our monthly newsletter History Happenings.

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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15th-October 15th

Thu, September 15, 2022 1:24 PM | Anonymous

Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15th - October 15th

There were students from Latin America at Cornell University from the

very beginning: a Brazilian student was part of the first group of students in 1868; Recruited by Geology Professor Charles Hartt, who traveled in Brazil, more Brazilian students arrived. In 1873 the Brazilian students published Aurora Brasileira a monthly newsletter written in Portuguese, and they established a Club Brasileiro.

HistoryForge Ithaca shows steadily growing numbers of immigration from twenty Central and South American countries throughout the twentieth century. By searching the database using the "Race", "Mother Tongue", and "Place of Birth" filters on different census years you can learn about Latinx residents in the City of Ithaca.

Hispanic Heritage Month first began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage week under President Lyndon Johnson. President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration to a full month in 1988 spanning from September 15th (anniversary of independence for: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua) to October 15th. According to the Library of Congress, “Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month* from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.”

Learn more Hispanic and Latinx local history at

thehistorycenter.net/hispanic-heritage-month. Our thanks to our spring 2022 Exhibit Hall volunteer, Luis Valderrama, for their work translating our 'History at Home' learning and activity booklets into Spanish! 'All About Tommy' and 'The Ithaca Kitty' are now available for download and use in Spanish-speaking households and learning spaces in Tompkins County!

Connect with our archivist to contribute to our collections documenting Hispanic and Latinx history in Tompkins County - archives@thehistorycenter.net.