La Revista Hispana

Hispanic ReviewBy Mary Rositas, Beverly Piper, Mary Elena

Bernhardt, Elaine Stark and Andrew Herrera

Spanish Explorers Discovered New Worlds

• Christopher Columbus’ voyage that discovered the Americas was sponsored by the Spanish Crown in 1492.

Columbus’ was the First of Many Spanish Voyages

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1519 1521

Ships

Men

Ships

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• Ferdinand Magellan, the first man to cross the Pacific Ocean, represented Spain. The survivors from his crew became the first men to sail around the world in 1521.

Ferdinand and Christopher

Spain Conquers Mexico

Also in 1521, about 500 Spanish soldiers arrived in Mexico, headed by an ambitious man: Hernán Cortés. At

this time, the Aztecs had built a great empire that ruled over all Mesoamérica. The Spaniards decided to direct

their attacks towards them.

Spain and the New World Mix

As you know, indigenous peoples were the first to inhabit what is now known as Mexico.

The Mexican Native Americans created great civilizations such as the Olmec, the Teotihuacan, Maya, Toltec, and of course the most powerful of all, the Aztec Empire.

After 300 years of oppression, people in

Mexico had had enough of Spanish domination. However, the language,

music, and foods of Mexico will forever

remain influenced by the Spanish presence.

History of Mexican Independence:

16 de Septiembre

El Grito every 16th of September is the

Mexican Fiesta par excellence! On this

day Mexicans all over the world celebrate

Mexico’s independence from

Spanish rule.

In the early hours of September 16,1810, father Hidalgo, accompanied

by several conspirators –Iganacio Allende, Doña Josefa Ortiz de

Domínguez- rang the bell of his little church, calling everyone to fight for

liberty. This was the beginning of Mexico’s

freedom.

It is customary for the president to deliver the grito in Mexico City’s zocalo. It is in this plaza

atop Palacio Nacional, the National Palace a beautiful colonial building where the President’s offices are located that the original bell rang by Hidalgo is placed. This is the bell that is rung

every 16 of September.

The GRITO ceremony continues as the crowd proudly shouts the names of the heros of the

Independece ending with the VIVA MEXICO!

Another great day of victory and celebration is:

Cinco de MayoCinco de Mayo is a date of great importance for the Mexican

and Chicano communities. It marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the Battle of Puebla.

Althought the Mexican army was eventually defeated, the "Batalla de Puebla" came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. With this

victory, Mexico demonstrated to the world that Mexico and all of Latin America were willing to defend themselves of any foreign intervention. Especially those from imperialist states bent on

world conquest.

Cinco de Mayo's history has its roots in the French Occupation of Mexico. The French occupation took

shape in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War of 1846-48.

And who could forget

when reviewing Hispanic Culture…

History of Mexican Food

The Spanish brought to the Americas products such as pork, beef, lamb citrus fruits, garlic, vinegar and wine, milk, and wheat.

But perhaps the heart and soul of Hispanic Culture

resides in its Music.

Conjunto MusicThe diatonic button accordion, which is the heart of conjunto music, was introduced sometime in the middle 19th century-possibly by German, Czech, or Polish immigrants who settled there.

Narciso MartinezNarciso Martinez invented the conjunto sound, playing lively accordion-led dance tunes with the bajo sexto (bass guitar) for rhythm. His unique style and his choice to use the accordion as a melodic rather than a rhythm instrument; his willingness to experiment with conjunto music, all mark Narciso Martinez as a powerful influence on accordion players and on border music in general.

Work Cited

http//www.mariner.org/age/magellan.html

http//www.win.tue.nl/~engles/discovery/alpha/m/html

http//www.inside-mexico.com/featureindep.htm

http//www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm

TEKS

Social Studies: 1 A, 1 E, 1 K, 4 A-4 B, 4 C

Reading: 2.3 E, 2.6 A, 2.9 I, 3.7 B, 3.9 F, G, J, 6.12 A, 6.13 A, B, C, G, I, 6.15 C, 6.17 E

Math: 3.1 A, 3.14 A, B

The EndAccordion Music Played by

Mary. Rositas

Created by:

Beverly Piper

Mary Elena BernhardtElaine Stark

Andrew Herrera

Mary Rositas

and