Throughout San Diego County, we continually celebrate the ways our region has been enriched by Hispanic history and culture.
We mark September 15 as a significant date to commemorate the 1821 declaration of independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, former states of the Federation of the Centre of America.
In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson officially recognized Hispanic Heritage Week to include the date that Mexico embarked on its independent uprising (El Grito on September 16), and the date marking the beginning of Chile’s independence (Fiestas Patrias on September 18).
The week was expanded to an official monthlong observation enacted into law in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. The expansion incorporates several holidays observed by countries throughout the region, including Día de la Raza, or Race Day, celebrated on October 12. This day honors the cultural fusion of indigenous American and Spanish heritage in Mexico, Columbia, Ecuador, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Uruguay.
In 2023, the theme for Hispanic Heritage Month is Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America. According to The U.S. Hispanic Manifesto by HispanicStar.org, the three theme components—prosperity, power, and progress—interconnect and signify an inherent desire to unify community and move forward together.
San Diego County Library’s dedicated staff continually strive to amplify such sentiment in our programs, events, and resources. As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, take advantage of the various opportunities designed to ensure the Hispanic community is seen, heard, and valued:
Hispanic Heritage Month Booklist
Resources in Spanish
Accessible with a San Diego County Library card
- Libros electrónicos: Lea y escuche los títulos más populares en su computadora o dispositivo móvil.
- Libby: Revistas: Acceda a más de 3.000 títulos de una amplia gama de intereses.
- Britannica Escolar | Provee acceso en línea a la Enciclopedia Británica en español, con miles de artículos, imágenes, videos, y fuentes primarias, diseñado para estudiantes de escuela primaria y secundaria.
- MedlinePlus (Español): MedlinePlus le brinda información de los Institutos Nacionales de la Salud, sobre enfermedades, condiciones y mantenimiento del bienestar, en una manera fácil de entender.
- PressReader: Lea miles de periódicos y revistas de todo el mundo en más de 60 idiomas.
Language Learning
- English as a Second Language at 4S Ranch, Bonita-Sunnyside, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Casa de Oro, Imperial Beach, Ramona, Spring Valley and Vista
- Conversation Café at Cardiff-by-the-Sea
- Rosetta Stone
- Intermediate Spanish Classes in Solana Beach at 10-11 a.m., Mondays
- Kids Spanish offered at Ramona at 4-5 p.m., Mondays for ages 4 to 8
Library Programs
- Bilingual Storytime at Bonita-Sunnyside, Descanso, El Cajon, Encinitas and Fallbrook
- Employment Resources at San Marcos, 5-7 p.m., Tuesdays, September 12 & 26
- Mola Art Craft at Del Mar at 11:30 a.m., Saturday, September 16
Mi Universidad | UCSD Extended Studies
Registration required. Call UCSD Extended Studies (Spanish) at (858) 534-3371 or (858) 534-0562.
- Dinámica Familiar Positiva at Lincoln Acres from 5 to 6 p.m., Wednesdays, starting September 13 through November 15
-
Introducción a las computadoras y la tecnología
- Lemon Grove | 10 a.m. to noon, Tuesdays, starting September 26 to December 5
- El Cajon | 10 a.m. to noon, Wednesdays, starting September 27 to
- El Camino a la Universidad at Vista from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, starting September 27 through November 8
Family-Friendly Events
Borrego Springs
- Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, September 16
- Hispanic Heritage Family Movie Matinee at 2 p.m., Saturdays
- Hispanic Heritage Family Movie Nights at 5 p.m., Tuesdays
Spring Valley
- ¡FIESTA! from 3:30 to 7 p.m., Friday, September 29
Add a comment to: Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month