We are so excited to kick off Latino Heritage Month celebrations with our three-part documentary series Latino Americans (PBS), which chronicles Latino/a history, politics, heritage, and experience!

The first showing will be Episode 1: “Foreigners in Their Own Lands” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16, in 133 Felmley Hall Annex and will be followed by a Q&A session facilitated by History Professor Doug Cutter. “Foreigners in Their Own Land” chronicles the history of the years 1565–1880 detailing the Spanish conquistadors and priests, Manifest Destiny, the Spanish mission system, Californio ranching, the Mexican-American War, the Gold Rush, and New Mexican transformation.

Showing two, Episode 2: “Empire of Dreams,” will be at 7 p.m. September 30 133 in Felmley Hall Annex with Politics and Government Professor Carlos Parodi facilitating the Q&A session. “Empire of Dreams” chronicles the years 1880–1942: widespread immigration to the U.S. begins, Cuban and Puerto-Rican liberation, Puerto Rico and the U.S., and the Great Depression.

Episode 6: “Peril and Promise” will be our final showing on October 21 at 7 p.m. in 133 Felmley Hall Annex, and will be facilitated by Psychology Professor Rocio Rivadeneyra. “Peril and Promise” covers 1980–2000: continued diaspora, illegal immigration issues, and the blossoming of Latino/a culture in the U.S. A case is made that education will determine the success of the Latino/a community in the U.S. in the future.

These efforts represent a collaboration between the Milner Library, the Latin American and Latino/a studies program, and Conexiones Latinas de McLean County.