This article was updated September 2025
Officially adopted in 1988, Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15th through October 15th and marks the contributions of Hispanic Americans and Latinos to American life. This designation by President Ronald Reagan expanded an earlier one-week commemoration signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson.
September 15 was chosen to kick off the celebration because it marks the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico, and Chile also have their independence days around this time, on September 16 and September18, respectively.
The largest minority population in the nation, Hispanics and Latinos have strongly influenced U.S. culture since before its founding. These top free lessons and activities can help all students explore the impact and achievements of Americans with Hispanic and Latino ancestry.
Best Free Hispanic Heritage Month Lessons and Activities
The 20 greatest Hispanic athletes of all time
You might already know that prizefighter Oscar De La Hoya and Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez are Mexican-American. But did you know that NBA star Carmelo Anthony and Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte also are of Hispanic origin? This list of great Hispanic athletes offers a few surprises (Ted Williams, for example) while demonstrating the influence that Hispanic Americans have had on sporting culture.
Poets.org: Lesson Plans Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Fine selection of poems, essays, audio, and videos in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Included are such well-known poets as Pablo Neruda, Virgil Suárez, and Elizabeth Acevedo, plus many other prize-winning writers. An especially nice touch is that many poems feature commentary from the author about their frame of mind when writing the poem. After perusing the written works, audio, and video, check out the more than two dozen lesson plans, which offer classroom exercises, discussion questions, and lesson extensions tailored to grade levels.
24 Influential Hispanic Americans Who Have Made History
Biography.com highlights the contributions of Hispanic Americans who have excelled in politics, science, music, sports, the arts, and more. From the newly named Pope Leo XIV to the late artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, this list covers a wide range of Hispanics who have led fascinating and sometimes controversial lives.
The Aspirations of Sonia Sotomayor
A downloadable PDF that explores the life and aspirations of the first Latina Supreme Court Justice. Standards-aligned and aimed at grades four and five, the worksheet includes questions and an answer key and may be completed in a single class period.
American Masters: Ynés Mexía: Mexican-American Botanist and Adventurer
This 10-minute video delves into the life of Mexican American Ynés Mexía, an accomplished botanist who did not begin her adventures with plants until her sixth decade. Despite her late start, she discovered more than 500 new plant species—50 of which were named after her. A printable transcript is included.
What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?
Language can be clarifying or confusing. The terms Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx may be used interchangeably but have different meanings. Learn the differences in this brief, clarifying article from Encyclopedia Britannica.
NPR Hispanic Heritage Month
Did you know there was a Spanish language version of the Hollywood classic Dracula? This wide-ranging series of radio segments/articles from National Public Radio looks at the culture and sometimes-arduous history of Latino and Hispanic peoples in America. Topics include music, literature, filmmaking, stories from the border, and much more. Listen to the audio or read the transcript.
National Museum of the American Latino
¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States is a fine multimedia examination of Latino history in the U.S., featuring stories of immigration, Latino influence on American culture, and the tricky business of Latino identity. Each section is accompanied by videos and enhanced through digital renderings of relevant exhibits, from Wars of Expansion to Shaping the Nation.
Estoy Aquí: Music of the Chicano Movement
This excellent 12-part lesson from the Smithsonian Institution explores the Chicano movement—its history, causes, leaders, and legacies—through the lens of music and culture. Included are teachers’ guides, slideshows, art, music, and bibliography.
Caribbean, Iberian, and Latin American Studies
Perhaps the largest collection of primary source documents about Hispanics across the globe is curated by the Library of Congress. On this site you’ll find a wealth of digitized documents, images, audio, video, and webcasts focused on Hispanic heritage in the U.S. and abroad. To narrow the field, select Latinx Studies: Library of Congress Resources. Ideal for advanced students, who will gain valuable research experience as well as knowledge of Hispanic and Latino culture.
Read Aloud Hispanic Heritage Videos
Ideal for younger learners, but also for anyone who needs language practice, these charming YouTube videos feature popular children’s stories, fables, and books read aloud in English and Spanish. For tips on accessing YouTube at your school, check out 6 Ways To Access YouTube Videos Even If They're Blocked at School.
- Pollito Tito - Chicken Little in Spanish with English subtitles
- Round Is A Tortilla - Kids Books Read Aloud
- Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa read-aloud
- What Can You Do With a Paleta?
- Mango, Abuela, and Me
- Scholastic's Hi! Fly Guy (Español)
- Dragones y tacos por Adam Rubin read-aloud (Español)
Read Write Think Hispanic Heritage Month Lesson Plans
These standards-aligned Hispanic heritage lessons for grades 3-5, 6-8, and 8-12 provide step-by-step instructions as well as printouts, templates, and related resources/activities.
