Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month with Us

Today marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs through the middle of October. This month commemorates and celebrates the diverse contributions of American citizens with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

This year’s theme, “Many backgrounds, Many Stories . . .One American Spirit” is a perfect illustration of the involvement of Latinos and Latinas during World War II. Partially because Latinos did not serve in segregated units, as African Americans did, their stories and efforts during the war have been somewhat overlooked, until very recently. Despite discrimination at home, Hispanic Americans from across the country felt called to do their part during the war.  Between a quarter and a half million Latinos served in the U.S. military. Countless Latinas signed up for the armed forces or rolled up their sleeves and built munitions and machinery necessary to win the war.

So what are we doing to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month at the museum? Teachers can sign up for our Virtual Field Trip Los Veteranos: Latinos during WWII, to introduce their students to the unique history of Hispanic Americans during the war and pay tribute to the courage, sacrifice, and bravery of Latinos and Latinas who served our country.

Learn more about Los Veteranos: Latinos during WWII and all of our Virtual Field Trips.

Posted by Chrissy Gregg, Virtual Classroom Coordinator at the National WWII Museum.