This year’s theme recognizes

the faith, hard work and

perseverance of Hispanic

Americans and how these

outstanding qualities have

helped build the foundation

of our nation’s society.

Hispanics have risen to great

heights and established their mark

on behalf of U.S. society in many

fields of endeavor. There are

literally too many distinctive

landmarks of Hispanic progress

during this century to note in this

reduced space. Here are a few

highlights from business, science,

sports, and politics . In all, a

remarkable century for Hispanics in

the United States.

1900s

1905San Antonio labor organizer Lucy Gonzales Lucy Gonzales ParsonsParsons was one of the prominent founders of the Wobblies, the International Workers of the World.

1903In Oxnard, California, more than 1,200 Mexican and Japanese farm workers organized the first farm worker union, the Japanese-Mexican Labor Association (JMLA).Japanese-Mexican Labor Association (JMLA). It was also the first to win a strike against the already very strong agricultural industry in California.

1912The first Hispanic opera diva in the United States was Lucrezia BoriLucrezia Bori, who made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City in 1912.

1910s

1918

PRIVATE MARCELINO SERNAPRIVATE MARCELINO SERNA of Albuquerque, New Mexico, was the first Hispanic to be awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions in World War I.

1923Adolfo LuqueAdolfo Luque became the first Hispanic American to play in the World Series of baseball as a member of the Cincinnati Reds. Also in 1923, Luque became the first Hispanic ballplayer to win the pitching championship in the professional baseball in the Unites States, with 27 wins, an earned run average of 1.93 and six shutouts.

1925-1926The first Hispanic leading lady in Hollywood films, Lupe VélezLupe Vélez, made her debuts.

1920s

1928 Octaviano LarrazoloOctaviano Larrazolo of New Mexico was the first Hispanic to become a U.S. Senator.

1921-27José Raúl CapablancaJosé Raúl Capablanca, Cuban chess master and world champion

1930s

1935 Rita HayworthRita Hayworth made her screen debut and was on her way to becoming the first Hispanic sex goddess in Hollywood films.

1935

DENNIS CHÁVEZDENNIS CHÁVEZ , in 1935 became the first Hispanic elected to the U.S. Senate, and held that Senate seat until his death in 1962. Chávez introduced the Fair Employment Practices Bill, an important predecessor of the Civil Rights Act.

1936

Sixto EscobarSixto Escobar became the first Puerto Rican boxer to win a world championship.

1937

Bert CoronaBert Corona became one of the founders of the International Longshoremen's and Warehousemen’s Union. He was one of the main organizers of the Mexican American Political Association, a civil rights organization that fought against racism toward Hispanics.

1943

PRIVATE JOSE P. MARTINEZPRIVATE JOSE P. MARTINEZ of Taos, New Mexico, was the first Hispanic to be awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in World War II.

1940s

1948Richard Alonso “Pancho” GonzálezRichard Alonso “Pancho” González became the first Hispanic to win the U.S. tennis singles championship at Forest Hills.

1950s

1951Desi ArnazDesi Arnaz, with wife Lucille Ball, launches I Love Lucy and introduces sitcom camera techniques still used today

1952

COLONEL MANUEL J. FERNANDEZ JR.,COLONEL MANUEL J. FERNANDEZ JR., was the first Hispanic flying ace who logged 125 combat missions during the Korean War.

1958Richie ValensRichie Valens (Ricardo Valenzuela) became the first Mexican American rock star with his hit recording of Come on, Let’s Go.

1959

SEVERO OCHOASEVERO OCHOA, a biochemist, physician and professor, in 1959 became the first Latino to win a Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery of the enzymes that help produce nucleic acids and allow scientists to synthesize RNA and DNA.

1960s

1966

ROBERTO CLEMENTEROBERTO CLEMENTE, a Hall of Famer, became the National League’s MVP in 1966 and the World Series MVP in 1971. Playing his entire major league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, he reached the 3,000-hit peak, had a lifetime batting average of .317, and hit 240 home runs.

1968

LUIS ALVAREZLUIS ALVAREZ became the first U.S.-born Hispanic to win the Nobel Prize in Physics for his research on subatomic particles. Alvarez and his son developed the theory that the extinction of dinosaurs was due to the crash of a giant meteor into Earth.

1964

HORACIO RIVEROHORACIO RIVERO, born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, was the second Hispanic 4-Star Admiral in modern Navy time.

1964 At the Tokyo Olympics, Donna De VaronaDonna De Varona became the first U.S. Hispanic to win a gold medal in swimming; she actually won two gold medals in the 400-meter individual medley and in the 4x100 freestyle.

1970s

1973 Manuel José “Manny” FernándezManuel José “Manny” Fernández received the highest distinction given to any Hispanic in football: He was named to the All Time Greatest Super Bowl All-Star Team.

1978 Nancy LópezNancy López became the first Hispanic to win the Ladies Professional Golf Association.

19761976

RICHARD E. CAVAZOS,RICHARD E. CAVAZOS, from Kingsville, Texas, was the first Hispanic 4 Star general in the U.S. Army.

1971Pablo Neruda,Pablo Neruda, Chilean poet, novelist, diplomat, and politician who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.

1980s

1981Henry CisnerosHenry Cisneros became the first Hispanic mayor of a major U.S. city when he was elected Mayor of San Antonio, Texas the nation's 10th largest city. He also served as Secretary of HUD, during President Clinton’s term of office.

1983

Federico PenaFederico Pena became the first Hispanic Mayor of Denver, Colorado. In 1992, when President Clinton chose Peña to head the U.S. Department of Transportation, he became the first Hispanic to hold that position; and in 1997, he became the first Hispanic to serve as U.S. Secretary of Energy.

1984 Héctor García Pérez,Héctor García Pérez, the founder of the American GI Forum, became the first Hispanic to be awarded the United States of America Medal of Freedom.

1985

HENRY B. GONZÁLEZHENRY B. GONZÁLEZ ,became the first Mexican-American in more than a century to be elected to the Texas State Senate. In 1961, he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and served there until December 1998, becoming one of the longest tenured representatives in U.S. history. He died Nov 2000.

1990s

1990 President George Bush appointed the first woman and the first Hispanic Surgeon General of the United States: Puerto Rican Antonia NovelloAntonia Novello.

1992

Bill RichardsonBill Richardson became the first Hispanic in congressional history to serve in a House leadership position, serving as chief deputy whip. He later was appointed U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. He was elected Governor Of New Mexico in 2003

1990 Ellen OchoaEllen Ochoa became the first Hispanic female to serve as an astronaut.

1994Carlos NoriegaCarlos Noriega is a Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel and an Astronaut. Selected by NASA , Noriega reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. He has flown on two STS Shuttle Missions. He was born in Lima, Peru, but considers California his home.

1995Salsa singer Celia CruzCelia Cruz, “la guarachera de Cuba,” became the first Hispanic pop singer to be awarded the National Medal for the Arts; it was presented by President Bill Clinton.

2002Arturo MorenoArturo Moreno made baseball history without putting on a uniform. He became the first Latino to own a major professional team outright when he purchased 2002 World Series champions, the Anaheim Angels, from the Walt Disney Co. for $184 million. Major league baseball’s owners approved the sale unanimously.

2000President George W. Bush names Mel MartínezMel Martínez to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development, making Martínez the first Cuban American to hold a presidential Cabinet position.

2003Rafael PalmerioRafael Palmerio, born in Havana, Cuba became the19th player and the second Hispanic to hit 500 Home Runs while playing First Base for the Texas Rangers Baseball Team.

2000s

2003Lt General Ricardo S. SanchezLt General Ricardo S. Sanchez from Rio Grande City, Texas was promoted to be the top military officer In Iraq by President George W. Bush.

2005Alberto R. GonzalesAlberto R. Gonzales, the first Hispanic to serve as U.S. attorney general.

This presentation was prepared by the Equal This presentation was prepared by the Equal Opportunity Representatives of 191st Infantry Opportunity Representatives of 191st Infantry

Brigade, Hispanic Heritage Committee.Brigade, Hispanic Heritage Committee.

September 2008September 2008