September 15: Hispanic Heritage Month Begins

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 through October 15. The dates are significant because September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Our teaching collection includes music, iBooks, video clips, photos, illustrations, and PDFs.

Hispanic Heritage Month / Mes de la Herencia Hispana

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San Marcos iBook

The Castillo de San Marcos National Monument iBook provides a comprehensive history of the fort from 1668 until its transfer to the United States in 1821. Created by FCIT for the NPS as a part of the Hispanic Heritage iBook series. 158 pages + 106 glossary terms, 98 MB download

Tomás Granado: Norteño Music

Norteño music is named for its origin in northern Mexico. At the heart of this colorful style is the diatonic button accordion. Tomás Granado serves as a tireless promoter of Mexican-American culture. Three selections and a bio from the Florida Memory Program.

Florida Maps Collection

A large collection of Florida maps from the Spanish period, arranged in galleries by date. Available on the Exploring Florida Maps website.

Gran Quivira iBook

The Gran Quivira: A Blending of Cultures in a Pueblo Indian Village iBook is the story of the Native American Puebloan People and the Spanish attempt to bring roughly 10,000 American Indians into Spanish society. Created by FCIT for the NPS as a part of the Hispanic Heritage iBook series. 76 pages + 76 glossary terms, 52 MB download

Latin Music

Fourteen selections of Latin Music from the Florida Memory Project available in iTunes.

Maps of South America

Over a hundred historic maps of South America from the Maps ETC website. The collection includes complete maps of the continent, regional maps, and individual maps of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guyana, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela,

Mission San Luis Videos

Eleven clips of Mission San Luis reenactors including a blacksmith, tanner, and musicians from the Florida Department of Education on iTunes U.

Californio to American iBook

The Californio to American: A Study in Cultural Change iBook examines cultural change in Southern California from the Spanish colonial days through the Mexican territorial era to the modern American period through the study of a single ranch. Created by FCIT for the NPS as a part of the Hispanic Heritage iBook series. 132 pages + 50 glossary terms, 77 MB download

Grupo Cañaveral

Grupo Cañaveral is a highly skilled and energetic band that plays traditional music from across Latin America. They perform songs intended to teach listeners about Latin American culture and musical traditions. Seven selections from the Florida Memory Program.

Maps of Mexico

Several dozen historic maps of Mexico from the Maps ETC website.

San Antonio Missions iBook

The San Antonio Missions: Spanish Influence in Texas iBook explores the Spanish attempt to protect their Texas claim by bringing the Christian faith and Hispanic culture to the American Indians there. Created by FCIT for the NPS as a part of the Hispanic Heritage iBook series. 126 pages + 98 glossary terms, 97 MB download

Caribbean Music

Caribbean music varies across the region, and can include rumba, salsa, reggae, and calypso styles. This music typically makes liberal use of percussion instruments like the steel drum, shakers, and claves. Ten selections from the Florida Memory Program.

Central America Photos

Central America photos from the ClipArt ETC website. The collection includes photos of Costa Rica and Belize as well as dolls from the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras, and Panama.

Castolon iBook

The Castolon: A Meeting Place of Two Cultures iBook provides an example of the mixing of American and Mexican farmers and ranchers along the US-Mexican border during the twentieth century. Created by FCIT for the NPS as a part of the Hispanic Heritage iBook series. 81 pages + 60 glossary terms, 66 MB download

Jesús Rodríguez: Venezuelan Harp

Venezuelan harp player Jesús Rodríguez immigrated to the United States in 1973 after visiting Washington, DC, with the Venezuelan embassy to play harp. He has enriched Florida culture by sharing his unique traditions through performances and apprenticeships. Four selections from the Florida Memory Program.

Gallery of San Marcos Photos

Nearly 400 photos of the Castillo de San Marcos from the ClipPix ETC website.

South America ClipArt

Several hundred clipart illustrations of South America including seals, stamps, and landscapes from the ClipArt ETC website.

San Marcos in 3D Stereoviews

Two galleries of Castillo de San Marcos stereoviews. Red/blue 3D glasses required.
Gallery 1 | Gallery 2

"Hernando DeSoto in America" Stills

Over 200 still photos extracted from the “Hernando DeSoto in America” movie on the Exploring Florida website.

Mexico ClipArt

A collection of illustrations of Mexico from the ClipArt ETC website. Included are historic events, buildings, monuments, and famous Mexicans.

St. Augustine

A two-page PDF about St. Augustine from the “Florida Then and Now” series on the Exploring Florida website.

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Photos and illustrations of the Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument including Abó survey drawings, Gran Quivira ruins photos and survey drawings Quarai ruins photos, and Salinas Pottery. Available on the ClipPix ETC website.