Join Us in Celebrating Independence Day in Guatemala!
Today is Independence Day in Guatemala! ¡Feliz día de la independencia! When I was little, I remember wondering why people ran with torches through the streets during Independence week. It was just so weird to me! Then, my parents told me it was a tradition that represented how horsemen many years ago went to different countries in Central America to announce that Guatemala was now...Read More
How to Talk About Your Home in Spanish
Home is where the heart is, isn’t it? Home is where our roots are, where our ancestors are from, and where our family lives. Home is where we create a comfortable space for living. A house may be anything from a high-rise apartment in the center of a pulsating city to a rustic cabin in the middle of nowhere. We make a house into a home with love, kindness, care, and gratitude. A common...Read More
All the Countries in Latin America and the Caribbean
What do you think of when you hear “Latin America?” Salsa, guacamole, and Machu Picchu might come to mind, but Latin America is so much more! Do you know all 26 countries in Latin America? A Brief History of Latin America People have inhabited Latin America for thousands of years, starting with native groups like the Olmec, Maya, Inca, and Aztec. Starting in the 15th century, European...Read More
All You Ever Wanted to Know About Cinco de Mayo Celebrations
Cinco de Mayo is the ultimate Mexican holiday. It’s a celebration of Mexican culture, history, and way of life. Actually, it has even been called the “Mexican St. Patrick’s Day.” Surprisingly enough, in Mexico, it’s not such a big deal. Yes, Mexicans love a good fiesta, just not this one in particular. On the other hand, people in the United States just love it! So much that...Read More
How Families Traditionally Celebrate Easter in Latin America
¡Que Dios te bendiga! is a common phrase in Latin America, especially during the Easter season. This is one of the most important times of the year for Catholic people in Latin America. In fact, according to the Vatican’s document Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae, around 285 million Catholics (17.7% of the world’s population) celebrate it. The Easter season begins on Easter Sunday and ends on...Read More
The Magic Moves of Bachata Latin Dance: A Beginner’s Guide
Are you into bachata? Or have you never heard of it? Let’s learn more about the meaning, history, and development of the Latin dance craze sweeping the world: bachata! What Is Bachata? Bachata is widely known as a sensual dance that originated in the Dominican Republic. It actually started about 60 years ago, in the early 1960s. Today, it is wildly popular and danced across the globe in...Read More
Cesar Chavez Day: His Tireless Fight for Equality and Economic Justice
Let’s travel back in time to March 31, 1927, in the small city of Yuma, Arizona. On that day almost one hundred years ago, Cesar Estrada Chavez was born to Mexican-American parents. While his parents welcomed him to the world with joy, little did they know the huge influence that their baby boy would have on the United States. He was destined to change the rights of agricultural workers...Read More
Are Latins only in Latin America?
Are Latins only in Latin America? Short answer: no. For a more complete answer, keep reading! Who Put the Roman in Romance In Spanish, latino technically refers to someone (or their descendant) who was from ancient Latium, a region in central-western Italy, and whose language was Latin. Interestingly, Latium is the original name of the territory that eventually founded Rome,...Read More
The Latin American Tradition of Las Posadas
The airy notes of a wooden flute and the ting-tong of a tortoise-shell drum float down the cobblestone street and into the rest of the town. A small crowd promenades through the narrow roads and alleyways, its members dressed warmly to keep out the December night chill. Some carry torches to light the way while others rest poles on their shoulders, supporting the weight of a wooden, altar-like...Read More