Día de la Raza – October 12, 2022, history, significance
Día de la Raza or “Race Day” is celebrated on October 12 every year to recognize the cultural fusion of indigenous America and Spanish heritage. The day is generally observed as a national holiday in Spanish countries and in Spanish communities. There is a controversial element to the holiday as well, but all in all it is a festive holiday.
HISTORY OF DÍA DE LA RAZA
When Christopher Columbus stepped on the new world on October 12, 1492, it was the moment when the world changed forever, and the Europeans met the native Americans.
Following this map-altering event, many expeditions were organized to the newfound region by explorers like Francisco Hernández de Córdoba and Núñez de Balboa. But it was Américo Vespucio who proclaimed the discovery of the new continent after he navigated the coast of South America. Realizing his grand discovery, he named the land after his own name, declaring it as “America.”
Gradually, the many different cultures and traditions combined into the creation of a continent of altogether new cultures and mixed races. The rest, as they say, is history.
On Día de la Raza, all Spanish-speaking cultures and nations rejoice and celebrate their identity with colorful parades, dance events, traditional food, and more. There are even scholarship opportunities for Hispanic students to check out on this day.
DÍA DE LA RAZA TIMELINE
1917
First Celebration
Día de la Raza is celebrated for the first time in Argentina.
1921
Growing Celebrations
Día de la Raza is observed in Colombia and Venezuela.
1928
The Mexican Way
Día de la Raza is celebrated in Mexico for the first time.
1996
The First Hispanic March
The first Hispanic March takes place on Columbus Day in Washington.
DÍA DE LA RAZA ACTIVITIES
Read the history of Spanish explorers
Read about the richly detailed adventures and expeditions of Spanish explorers. Some of the most well-known explorers included Ferdinand Magellan, Hernando de Soto, Juan Ponce de Leon, and Francisco Vásquez de Coronadoa. Each of them significantly impacted the exploration and colonization of the Americas.
Have a Spanish feast
Celebrate the best of the Spanish with their mouth wateringly delicious food! Tamales, Trinidad pastille, Tortilla Española, Gambas al ajillo, and Cochinillo asado are some ideas for Spanish food to indulge in today!
Post it on social media
Take the celebrations online! Post photos of your Día de la Raza festivities for everyone to see and join in.
5 FUN FACTS ABOUT DÍA DE LA RAZA
Costa Rica changed the name
The name was changed “Día de la Raza” to “Dia de las Culturas.”
The name was also changed in Venezuela
The name of the holiday was changed to “Dia de la Resistencia Indígena.”
The meaning of Día de la Raza
The name translates to Race Day in English, but la raza specifically means “a community connected by cultural ties.”
Celebrations are grand
Common traditions on Dia de la Raza include dances, parades, and bullfights!
Alternate celebration
Dia de la Raza is sometimes considered controversial due to it being celebrated instead of Columbus Day.
WHY WE LOVE DÍA DE LA RAZA
It is a huge celebration
Dia de la Raza is GRAND! Celebrating the culture and heritage of Latin America is a big festivity for all those who celebrate. The fiesta includes dancing, singing, street games, and of course, food!
Appreciating different perspectives
The holiday has a controversial facet, but it is important to have a broad perspective, be open-minded and learn from the history and experiences of various cultures.
Celebrating the same great historical event
Differences aside, Dia de la Raza celebrates the same idea as Columbus Day — the first great encounter between the Europeans with the native Americans.
