hispanic history makers

Juan Ponce de Leon1460-1521

• Conquistador and Explorer

• Conquered Puerto Rico

• Discovered Florida

Hernan Cortes1485-1520

• Conquistador

• Conquered the Aztec Empire

Sor Juana Ines de la Cruz1648-1695

• Poet• Scholar• Mexican Nun• Studied theology,

astronomy, philosophy, literature, mathematics, painting, and music

Miguel Hidalgo y Costillo1753-1811

• Revolutionary Priest

• Tried to free Mexico from Spanish rule in a famous speech called “Grito de Delores” on September 16, 1810.

Simon Bolivar1783-1830

• Soldier and Statesman

• Called El Libertador (the Liberator)

• Liberated parts of South America from the Spanish

Juan Seguin1806-1890

• Soldier• Fought at the Alamo,

but did not die because he left to get reinforcements.

• Calvary Captain at the Battle of San Jacinto

Jose Marti1853-1895

• Revolutionary and Writer

• Led the movement for the independence of Cuba.

• Author

• Poet

• Was killed in Cuba while leading a revolt.

Diego Rivera1886-1957

• Mexican Painter

• Painted murals of Mexican life and culture.

• Painted murals of US industry

Severo Ochoa1905-1993

• Spanish biochemist

• Won the Nobel Prize for Physiology and Medicine

• His discovery helped expand our knowledge of genetics

Frida Kahlo1907-1954

• Mexican Painter• Known for her

intense self-portraits.

• Her style featured brilliant colors.

• Her work is still very popular today.

Narciso Martinez1911-1992

• Mexican Musician

• “Father” of the Tejano style of accordion music known as conjunto.

Cesar Chavez1927-1993

• Mexican American Activist

• World War II Veteran• Founded the National

Farm Workers Association (NFWA)

• Helped gain better working conditions for migrant workers and safer foods for all Americans.

Jaime Escalante1903-Present

• Educator• Math teacher who

achieved outstanding results with his students in California.

• Awarded the United States Presidential Medal for his achievements.

Roberto Clemente1934-1972

• Puerto Rican Baseball Player

• Led the National League in hitting 4 times.

• Led the Pittsburgh Pirates to two World Series.

Antonia Novello1944-Present

• Puerto Rican Physician and Public Official

• First Hispanic and women to be named Surgeon General of the United States.

Edward James Olmos1947-Present

• Mexican American Actor and Activist

• Has received many awards for his acting

• Actively involved in political and humanitarian causes

Carlos Santana1947-Present

• Mexican Musician

• Grammy award winning jazz-rock musician.

• His music reaches audiences from the 1960’s to today

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen1952-Present

• Cuban Congresswoman

• First Cuban-American member of Congress

• Has served in the House of Representatives since 1989.

Sandra Cisneros1954-Present

• Mexican American writer, poet, and novelist.

• She is known for her vivid portrayal of Mexican American life.

Nancy Lopez1957-Present

• Mexican American Golfer

• Has won 3 LPGA Titles

• Member of the LPGA Hall of Fame

Ellen Ochoa1958-Present

• Mexican American Astronaut

• First Latino Women to travel into space.

• Has logged 1,000 hours in space

• Also a accomplished flutist

Selena Quintanilla Perez1971-1995

• Mexican American Singer

• Popular Tejano singer in both Mexico and the United States.

• Her album “Dreaming of You” became the all time selling debut album by a female.