National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is a national observance authorized by Public Law 100-402 which states:

The President is hereby authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating the 31-day period beginning September 15 and ending on October 15 as "National Hispanic Heritage Month" and calling upon the people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe such month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

The observation was initiated in 1968 as National Hispanic Heritage Week but was expanded in 1988 to include the entire 31-day period.

Gann, L. H. & Duignan, P. J. (1986). The Hispanics in the United States. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.

• Gann and Duignan focus mainly on the history, politics, and culture of Hispanics in the United States since the 18th century. They also examine issues such as immigration, bilingual education, and affirmative action and concludes that "immigration is a positive experience for both the newcomers and the local communities into which they settle."
• The book is available at Watson Library on the Lawrence campus and can be requested through Interlibrary Loan.

Galens, J. Sheets, A. J., & Young, R. V. (1995). Gale encyclopedia of multicultural America. Detroit: Gale Research, Inc.

• This two volume set includes lengthy essays describing Hispanics of several national origins, including Cuba, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The main focus of the essays is on the "group's experience in the United States, specifically in the areas of acculturation and assimilation, family and community dynamics, language, religion, employment and economic traditions, politics and government, and significant contributions."

The encyclopedia is available in the Reference section at Dykes Library.