For Spanish speakers across the U.S., Hispanic Heritage Month is a chance to celebrate the arts and culture created by Latin Americans and Spanish-Americans, from Camila Cabello to Penélope Cruz. Started in 1968, the month — which begins on Sept. 15 — commemorates the cultural contributions of Hispanic Americans with help from the Library of Congress, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and other groups that support culture in this country — including memes, which are their own art form unto themselves. With almost 60 million hispanic people in the United States, there’s a lot of room for arts and culture created by hispanic people that have immeasurably enriched our country.
It’s important to note, when talking about Hispanic Heritage Month, that it isn’t synonymous with Latinx heritage month — heck, plenty of Latinx people bristle at being called hispanic. That’s because ‘hispanic’ only refers to people from countries that were colonized by Spain, and not people from countries like Brazil or Haiti who share aspects of their culture with other countries across Latin America. In fact, the term ‘hispanic’ was created to group Spanish-speaking people together separately on the U.S. census only in the late 20th century, according to the Pew Center. That said, now more than ever it’s important to recognize the contributions of Americans with heritage from across Spain and Latin America who have made this country great. Here are just a few memes & tweets for when you’re feeling your sentimientos this Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.
Celebrating Independence From Spain
Alright, quick history lesson. No, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day — it commemorates the Battle of Puebla in 1862, where outnumbered Mexican forces defended the town of Puebla de Los Angeles from French forces. Mexican Independence Day is celebrated on Sept. 16, the anniversary of Manuel Hidalgo's famous Grito de Dolores, which kicked off the war against the Spanish leading to Mexico's independence in 1821. In fact, the reason Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15th to Oct. 15th is because Sept. 15th marks the independence days of five different Latin American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua — with Mexico's celebrated on Sept. 16 and Chile's on Sept. 18.
Just Oscar Isaac Eating Flaming Hots
Oscar Isaac, born Óscar Isaac Hernández Estrada in Guatemala, stole the show in Ex-Machina and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and he also can steal my Cheetos whenever he so chooses.
When You Hear Some Really Good Chisme
Chismear: the art form that takes gossiping to new heights. You can also use this delightful .gif to caption when your tia is getting too up in your business and she needs to not.
Summer Has Come & Gone But "Despacito" Is Forever
You can be a fan of Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee's hit song of summer and acknowledge the role the U.S. played in the debt crisis that will surely further exacerbate the effects of Hurricane Irma in Puerto Rico, home to 3 million American citizens who may be without power for six months. Just don't listen to the Justin Bieber remix, OK?
Say It Louder For The People In The Back
*clap emojis all around* Just because I speak Spanish doesn't mean I am Spanish. See also: I'm not any less Latinx just because I don't speak Spanish.
Drake Is Cien Por Ciento Your Dominican Uncle
This meme has been around a while, but that doesn't make it any less true. The Canadian rapper has explicitly drawn this comparison himself, calling himself "papi champú, young pablito de seis Dios” on his mixtape with Future, What A Time To Be Alive. H/T to Remezcla for making an amazing list cataloguing Champagne Papi's evolution from Degrassi star to tio dominicano.
You're Doing Amazing Sweetie
I'm such a fan of this recent grad who's going to do amazing things with his degree. ¡Felicidades, Fabián!
When Your New Relationship Is Going Great
Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's lifelong collaboration as artists and partners is literally one for the history books, even if their relationship was at times stormy. The famous muralist cheated on his now even-more-famous painter wife with her own sister (though Kahlo herself had plenty of extramarital affairs with both men and women). But, as seen in the .gif above, there were plenty of occasions where the going was good.
When You're Feeling Your Look
Selena Quintillana is a goddamn national treasure. The Tejano star was tragically killed when she was only 23 by her fan club's president, but her legacy lives on, with many people re-discovering her music even 20 years after her death.
Because The Blinking Guy Meme Is So Over
Instead of expressing surprise or shock, or an indignant reaction to something audacious, Penélope Cruz's eyebrows dare you to try her — she's seen it all, and she's handled it like a boss.
