Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. What began in 1968 as a weeklong observance under President Lyndon Johnson grew into a month-long celebration in 1988, thanks in part to the efforts of U.S. Representative Esteban Torres.
This month is a time to celebrate the vibrant heritage, culture, and many contributions of the Hispanic community. From music and theater to sports, politics, and science, Latino voices have enriched—and continue to enrich—our lives and our nation in countless ways.
Join us in celebrating this special month with great TV and radio programming, engaging content, fun kids’ activities, and more!
American Masters: Julia Alvarez—A Life Reimagined
Watch Tuesday, Sept. 15 at 10:30 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Explore the story of Dominican-American poet and novelist Julia Alvarez, who burst onto the literary scene and blazed a trail for a generation of Latino authors.
Watch Thursdays Starting Sept. 17 at 10 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Alberto rebels against the expectations heaped on him. Ana, who longs to become a designer, struggles to assert herself as a creative personality. From Walter Presents, in Spanish with English subtitles.
VOCES: Omara—Cuba’s Legendary Diva
Watch Monday, Sept. 28 at 10 p.m. on WCNY-TV
This portrait of the beloved Cuban singer Omara Portuondo explores her extraordinary life, from the stages of Havana’s famed nightclubs to her worldwide fame as part of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club.
Watch Friday, Oct. 2 at 10 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Celebrate the recipients of the 39th annual Hispanic Heritage Awards. The evening commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month includes performances and appearances by some of the country’s most celebrated Hispanic artists and visionaries.
VOCES: ASCO—Without Permission
Watch Friday, Oct. 2 at 11 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Meet the groundbreaking Chicano art group that turned the streets of 1970s L.A. into canvases of defiance and expression, now recognized as one of the 20th century’s most influential art collectives. Produced by Gael García Bernal and Diego Luna.
American Masters: American Pachuco—The Legend of Luis Valdez
Watch Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 9:30 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Follow the legacy of filmmaker and playwright Luis Valdez. A founding figure of the Chicano Movement, Valdez is best known for his play Zoot Suit, the Ritchie Valens biopic La Bamba and the theatre company El Teatro Campesino.
Finding Your Roots: Mexican Roots
Watch Tuesday, Oct. 6 at 11 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. explores the deep Mexican roots of talk show host Mario Lopez and comedian Melissa Villaseñor, uncovering ancestors stretching back to the 1500s. Weaving together stories of migratory farmers, Spanish Conquistadors and Native Americans, Gates conjures up personal histories of diverse, sometimes conflicting, elements.
VOCES: Paquito D’Rivera—From Carne y Frijol to Carnegie Hall
Watch Monday, Oct. 12 at 10 p.m. on WCNY-TV
Through music and memories, celebrate the life and legacy of jazz legend Paquito D’Rivera. Trace his journey from child prodigy in Cuba to a stellar career as a multi-GRAMMY Award-winning musician, composer, and beloved Latin jazz ambassador.
American Masters: Jovita Idar—Mexican American Activist and Journalist
Jovita Idar (1885-1946) helped organize the first Mexican American civil rights conference in 1911 to address racism, lynching, and dismal educational opportunities for Mexican American children.
Austin City Limits: Carlos Vives y La Provincia
Celebrated Colombian superstar Carlos Vives, an 18-time Latin Grammy and multiple Grammy Award winner, performs with his 11-piece band La Provincia, showcasing songs from El Último Disco alongside a career-spanning collection of beloved hits.
Examine the priorities of a politically diverse Latino electorate in the run-up to the 2024 presidential election in some of the most hotly contested battleground states, including Arizona, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania as well as California and Florida.
VOCES: Sabor Artico—Latinos en Alaska
Latinos face unique challenges in the Arctic environment where things can be extreme, remote, and sometimes inaccessible. “Sabor Ártico: Latinos En Alaska,” a short documentary, introduces viewers to a growing population of Latinos in Alaska through poignant interviews that give insight on the importance of food and culture in adapting to the Arctic environment and in forging their identity.
Rita Paniagua is your host as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through classical music. From familiar works by Piazzolla and Villa-Lobos to new pieces from Argentina and Puerto Rico, we’ll share the stories behind the culture and music. Presented in both Spanish and English.
Tune in on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 11 a.m. & 6 p.m. on Classic FM, 10 a.m. & 5 p.m. on Community FM, and 7 p.m. on Pulso Central.
Think it Through with Alma’s Way (Grades Pre-K-2)
This sub-collection from “Relish” includes episodes that feature dishes inspired by Latin American heritage, including recipes from Guatemala, Yucatán, and Mexico.
Learn the Origins of Hispanic American Heritage Month (Grades K-5)
There are about 54 million Hispanics and Latinos in the United States. That’s a lot of people to celebrate! Across the country, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated with festivals and community events recognizing the contributions of Hispanics and Latinos in the United States.
Learn About Civil Rights Activist Jovita Idar (Grades 6-12)
Learn about the struggles and successes Rita Moreno and other Latino actors encountered in Hollywood, and explore concepts of representation, stereotypes, and appropriation in media.
Explore Latinx Contributions to the National Parks (Grades 6-12)
George Melendez Wright, a pioneer in wildlife preservation, and Juan Lujan, a member of the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), contributed to a long and meaningful legacy of latinx leaders in national parks. Melendez Wright spoke out about the human treatment of animals in nature, while Lujan found meaning and identity in his work in national parks via the CCC.
