National Hispanic Heritage Month
Sept. 16, 2025
Dear Brandeis Community,
We are excited to announce our recognition and celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month at Brandeis!
According to the Library of Congress: “Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. The day of September 15 is significant because it 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. Also, Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.”
In collaboration with students, faculty and staff, we are delighted to offer the following events:
Hispanic Heritage Month Jeopardy Night
September 16, 2025
Location: Intercultural Center Swig Lounge
Time: 8:30 p.m.
Hosted by the Brandeis Latinx Student Organization
Mariachi Performance featuring Veronica Robles
September 25, 2025
Location: Shapiro Campus Center, Great Lawn
Rain Location: Shapiro Campus Center Theater
Time: 12 - 2 p.m.
Co-Sponsored by the Intercultural Center, Brandeis Latinx Student Organization, School of Business and Economics, Office of Access and Excellence
The Blue Couch Series: "Watch cinema that connects culture and celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month."
October 3, 2025
Location: Intercultural Center, Multipurpose Room
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Hosted by the Intercultural Center
Community Gathering
October 16, 2025
LatinX Graduate Student Working Group
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Heller Zinner Forum
Light refreshments will be served.
Incendio - Student Club Celebration
October 18, 2025
Levin Ballroom
Time: 6:30 - 9 p.m.
Hosted by the Brandeis Latinx Student Organization
For more information, follow the Intercultural Center on Instagram @brandeisicc and Brandeis Latinx Student Organization @blso98. If you are interested in participating in our new Latinx dance group follow on Instagram @brandeis_sazon.
In addition, the following resources are maintained by the Brandeis Library:
- Databases in Hispanic Studies and Latin American, Caribbean and Latinx Studies
- The HAPI: Hispanic American Periodicals Index is home to a range of materials documenting the experiences of Latinx students at Brandeis.
- A video from a 2021 panel celebrating the 50th anniversary of Latinx students at Brandeis.
- The activities of GRITO, a student organization that worked to increase and support the Latinx population both at Brandeis and throughout the Waltham area, are documented in Student Activism and other collections
- A 15-minute film created by Maria Rodriguez ‘75 and her son Dioni Gomez
- Several faculty collections, most notably the papers of Denah Lida and Lawrence Fuchs
- A photography display on Goldfarb 1, "La Fuerza de Brandeis: Retratos Latines" by Artist and Brandeis Alum Shelley Polanco
Learn more through these links, Latino History is American History, and the virtual exhibit "¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States" by the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino.
¡Muchas gracias¡
Peter Rojas
Director of the Intercultural Center
Javier Urcid
Professor, Anthropology Department
Jane’s Chair Professor of Latin American Studies
Lee Bitsóí
Vice Provost for Access and Excellence