Latin American History Archives

The Real Story of Rum in the Caribbean & How it Ended Up in Puerto Rico

Shayne Rodriguez ThompsonJune 11, 2021June 14, 2021

by Shayne Rodriguez ThompsonJune 11, 2021June 14, 2021010060

When people think of rum, they instantly think of the Caribbean. They go hand-in-hand and for good reason. Rum which is a distilled spirit made from sugarcane, was invented in the West Indies, which encompass Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic...

Culture Family

5 Latinas You Didn’t Learn About in History Class

Bill O’ConnorSeptember 17, 2018September 8, 2020

by Bill O’ConnorSeptember 17, 2018September 8, 20202 4863

Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15 and continues until October 15. It’s a month where people recognize and honor the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans along with their culture. But even so, there are quite a few Latinos and...

Culture

9 Badass Female Liberators of Latin America

Bill O’ConnorSeptember 12, 2017December 21, 2020

by Bill O’ConnorSeptember 12, 2017December 21, 202014302

If you’re taking a trip to the 19th century and thinking about Latin American independence movements, there might be a particular stereotypical image that comes to mind. Valiant soldiers on horses, politicians in stuffy 19th century attire, and those hairstyles...

Culture

6 Reasons Simon Bolivar Is More Badass Than You Think

Bill O’ConnorJuly 24, 2017January 8, 2021

by Bill O’ConnorJuly 24, 2017January 8, 202117050

Simón Bolívar was born 234 years ago today. This great historical figure was anything but boring. You might remember him from that far off Latin American history class, but there are some surprising facts about “The Liberator” of six countries in...

Culture

Actress Dalia Davi on the Power of Playing Badass Dominicana Activists

Bill O’ConnorMarch 20, 2017February 9, 2021

by Bill O’ConnorMarch 20, 2017February 9, 202101338

After checking out En el Nombre de Salomé at the Repertorio Español, I caught up with Dalia Davi — the actress behind Salomé. While she’s now a Salomé expert, it turns out she was as new to pre-Trujillo Dominican history as...

News and Entertainment

Repertorio Español’s “En El Nombre de Salomé” Shows that the Past is Also Female

Bill O’ConnorMarch 7, 2017February 10, 2021

by Bill O’ConnorMarch 7, 2017February 10, 202111411

Back in September, we kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with Repertorio Español’s opening of the reggaeton inspired musical, “La canción.” They invited us back this February for their current headlining play—“En El Nombre de Salomé.” Adapted from Julia Alvarez’s novel...