Hispanic Heritage Month

Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15-October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of both Hispanic and Latinx American communities. The celebration begins in the middle rather than the start of September because it coincides with national independence days in several Latin American countries: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua on September 15th and Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th.

The Wheaton Community Relations Commission encourages the community to learn more about the history of Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month through some of the links below and to explore some of the local events which celebrate Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month and the Hispanic and Latinx communities.

• National Hispanic Heritage Month: White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative
• Why and how to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month: Smithsonian Learning Lab
• Hispanic Heritage Month: US National Archives
• Hispanic Heritage Month: nps.gov
• Videos, profiles, music, and more to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month: pbs.org

Community Relations Commission Co-Sponsored Events

The Roots of DuPage’s Latinx Community
Thursday, September 15 • 7 p.m. • virtual
Sara Phalen, Director of the West Chicago City Museum, will discuss the migration of Mexican and other Latinx groups to DuPage County over the past century. Hear about the industry and opportunity that brought migrants to our area and the contributions they have made in helping shape the economies and culture of DuPage. Provided in partnership with the Wheaton Public Library. Watch the video of this event here.

Latinx, Hispanic, Latino, Latine: Terminology history & how each is embraced today
Wednesday, September 21st • 7 p.m. • virtual
Join Dr. Catalina Maria Johnson as she gives us a brief overview of the history and origins of the range of terminology used to refer to a person of Latin American origin or descent. Her presentation will be followed by a panel discussion of community members as they share their views and experiences embracing the terminology. In partnership with the Wheaton Public Library and the League of Women Voters of Wheaton Register here for Zoom link.

Other Wheaton Public Library Events

Teen
Loteria
Tuesdays September 20-October 11th • 4-5 p.m.
Come celebrate Hispanic Heritage month with us! Play Loteria and win some prizes! Loteria is a board game like bingo with Spanish vocabulary, learn some new Spanish words and important Hispanic figures in History! Registration required. Visit here to register.

Youth
Bilingual Storytime - Spanish
Wednesday, September 28, • 7 p.m. • virtual
Register here.

Other Local Resources About Hispanic Heritage Month

We encourage you to check out the following videos of past programs celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

• The Roots of DuPage’s Latinx Community: Sara Phalen, Director of the West Chicago City Museum, discusses the migration of Mexican and other Latinx groups to DuPage County over the past century. Hear about the industry and opportunity that brought migrants to our area and the contributions they have made in helping shape the economies and culture of DuPage. Provided in partnership with the City of Wheaton Community Relations Commission.
• Frida Kahlo - Timeless: Learn about the exhibition "Frida Kahlo: Timeless" featuring works on loan from the Dolores Olmedo Museum Collection at the Cleve Carney Museum of Art at College of DuPage. Justin Witte, curator of the museum, provides a historical background on Frida Kahlo and her work.
• Your City @ Home: National Museum of Mexican Art: Explore the “Nuestras Historias” exhibition which includes works from the museum's permanent collection. Nuestras Historias highlights the Museum’s Permanent Collection to showcase the dynamic and diverse stories of Mexican identity in North America. The exhibition presents cultural identity as something that continually evolves across time, regions, and communities, rather than as a static, unchanging entity, and features ancient Mesoamerican and colonial artifacts, modern Mexican art, folk art, and contemporary works from both sides of the U.S.-Mexican border. The vast diversity of Mexican identities demonstrated in these works defies the notion of one linear history and a singular identity.

Books About Hispanic Heritage Month

In addition to the various events, the Wheaton Public Library also has multiple books for residents to view and learn about various events and topics surrounding Hispanic Heritage Month on display at the library.