Category: November

Today, we’re blending the practical North American tradition of DIY (Do-It-Yourself) with the spiritual South American tradition of DOTD (Day of the Dead).  During the DOTD, or Dia de los Muertos, Americans honor friends and family members who have passed from this world by building “ofrendas” or altars.  According to the city of San Antonio’s… Continue reading Dia de los Muertos / DOTD + DIY

The annual national conference of LATISM went live in Chicago on November 9, 2011.  LATISM, a nonprofit organization, is the largest organization of Latinos engaged in social media. LATISM is dedicated to advancing the social, civic and economic status of the Latino community. LATISM also works to raise awareness among corporate brands, NGOs and government entities… Continue reading LATISM First Annual National Conference 2011

In honor of the bicentennials (200 year anniversaries) of the nations of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico, and of the shared history and values of the US and South America, the symposium “Creating Freedom in the Americas, 1776-1826” was celebrated in Washington, DC on November 19, 2010.  The symposium was co-hosted by the Bureau of… Continue reading “Creating Freedom in the Americas, 1776-1826”

Sometimes, you just cannot have too much of a good thing, particularly when you’re trying to set a Guinness World Record. This dictum also applies to a favorite Mexican immigrant, the burrito.  The largest burrito on record was prepared on November 3, 2010 in La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.  The burrito was made from a… Continue reading The Ultimate Burrito 2010

On November 21, 2008, BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation) Worldwide Channels announced the launch of CBeebies, its first wholly-owned, Spanish-language channel in the US. This British invasion is dedicated to preschoolers.  Darren Childs, BBC’s Managing Director, stated, “The introduction of a Spanish version of CBeebies into the U.S. Hispanic market is a momentous achievement for BBC… Continue reading The Launch of CBeebies 2008

For the first time in its history, the Latin Grammy Awards were held in Houston, Texas.  Houston is not known for being a mecca of Latin music, but one of the show’s organizers, Gabriel Abaroa, noted that “We decided to take the show where our people are.”  Abaroa has a refreshingly broad view of “our… Continue reading The First Latin Grammy Awards in Houston 2008

The story of life-long love was retold on the silver screen, as “Love in the Time of Cholera” was released on November 16, 2007.  The Hollywood film is based on the story by Nobel prize winner Gabriel García Márquez, about childhood sweethearts who are forcibly separated by the girl’s parents.  Despite 50 years of separation… Continue reading “Love in the Time of Cholera” premiers 2007

The American Music Award honored Colombian born musician and singer Shakira as America’s favorite Latina artist on November 22, 2005.  Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll’s father was a Lebanese immigrant to Colombia, and her dual Latino and Middle Eastern heritage has greatly influenced her work.  “Shakira” translates as “woman full of grace” in Arabic, and her… Continue reading Shakira honored 2005 American Music Awards

In solidarity and compassion, New York City Mayor-elect Michael Bloomberg traveled to the Dominican Republic, to meet with grieving families who lost relatives when an American Airlines flight crashed in New York earlier that month. About 70% of the 260 passengers who died were Dominican.  Bloomberg arrived in his private jet, and received a welcome motorcade… Continue reading Mayor Michael Bloomberg visits Dominican Republic 2001

The Puerto Rican Senate declared November 9, 1995 as “El Dia de Olga Tañón” (Olga Tañón Day) in honor of the Grammy Award winning singer. Tañón was born in Santruce, Puerto Rico, and began her singing career performing with merengue groups. (Merengue originated in the Dominican Republic, and is characterized by a fast 2/4 beat.  Please, not to be… Continue reading El Dia de Olga Tañón 1995

By a close vote of 234 to 200, the US House of Representatives passed a resolution to establish the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on November 17, 1993.  The goal of NAFTA, according to its advocates, was to eliminate barriers to trade and investment among the US, Canada and Mexico. Its critics contend that… Continue reading NAFTA 1993

In an exciting, high velocity game, the US and El Salvador vied for supremacy at the sports stadium in Saint Louis, Missouri on November 5, 1989.  The teams were playing for a place in the 1990 FIFA Soccer World Cup.  After a well-matched competition, the teams tied 0-0. En un emocionante juego de alta velocidad,… Continue reading 1990 FIFA Soccer World Cup

Happy Birthday to NFL quarterback Mark Travis John Sanchez, born on November 11, 1986 in Long Beach, California. The 6′ 2″ tall Sanchez is a third-generation Mexican-American. His father was a strong influence in his life, and Sanchez began playing football in 8th grade coached by his papi.  He played college football for the University… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Mark Travis John Sanchez, NFL Quarterback

As the NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis launched into the night sky from the Kennedy Space Center on November 26, 1985, Latinx Rodolfo Neri Vela was among the crew.  Neri is a Mexican scientist and astronaut who served as Payload Specialist for the mission.  (A Payload Specialist is the technical expert on the carrying capacity of an… Continue reading Latinx on NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis 1985

After persevering through a number of campaigns, Xavier Louis Suarez was finally elected as Mayor of the city of Miami.  He was sworn in on November 13, 1985, and was the first Cuban born citizen to win this office.  Suarez was born in Las Villas, Cuba, and immigrated to the US in 1962.  He graduated… Continue reading Xavier Louis Suarez, Mayor of Miami 1985

The multi-faceted political, social, economic, cultural, military and spiritual movement of the Zapatista Army of National Liberation (EZLN) was founded in Chiapas, Mexico on November 17, 1983. Chiapas is the southernmost state of Mexico, with a large concentration of indigenous people comprising the Mixes-Zoques, the Mayas and the Chiapa.   The movement is named after Emiliano Zapata, the agrarian… Continue reading Zapatista Army of National Liberation is Founded

US baseball’s prestigious Cy Young Award had never been awarded to a rookie player – until Fernando Valenzuela sparkled on the diamond.  (Please note, a rookie in Major League Baseball is a player with fewer than 130 times at bat or 50 innings pitched in the majors, or less than 45 days on the active rosters of an MLB… Continue reading Fernando Valenzuela receives US Baseball’s top award 1981

Happy Birthday to actor, director and documentary producer Gael Garcia Bernal, born in Guadalajara, Mexico on November 30, 1978.  Bernal studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. Bernal is a star in Mexican and Spanish cinema; his starring roles in Hollywood films include “The Motorcycle Diaries”, “Babel”, and “Letters to Juliet”.  Bernal has… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Gael Garcia Bernal 1978

Happy Birthday to Big Papi, as Major League Baseball player David Américo Ortiz Arias is known.  Born in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, Ortiz was encouraged by his father to play baseball and learn English.  His father’s intuition was correct, and Ortiz is regarded as one of the top clutch hitters in MLB history. (A… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Big Papi

An art exhibition created by “Los Four” opened at the University of California at Irvine on November 10, 1973.  The four Latinx/Chicano artists were Carlos Almaraz, Roberto de la Rocha, Gilbert Sanchez Lujan and Frank Edward Romero. The art and photography of these bicultural artists explores themes that range from family and childhood to political and historical,… Continue reading “Los Four” opens at the University of California 1973

Happy Birthday to Major League Baseball (MLB) star Sammy Sosa, born on November 12, 1968 in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic.  His father died when he was a child, and Sousa worked selling oranges and shining shoes to help support his mother and siblings. At age 16, he negotiated a $3,500 signing bonus with… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Sammy Sosa

Many beautiful, talented women have debuted at the annual Deb Star Ball at the Hollywood Palladium, including Latinx actress Jo-Raquel Tejada.  Raquel Welch, as she later became known, graced the Palladium dance floor on 21 November 1964.  Tejada’s father was a Bolivian engineer and her mother was of English and Scottish heritage.  Tejada was born… Continue reading The Annual Deb Star Ball 1964

Happy Birthday to Graciela (Chela) Quintana, the first Venezuelan woman to win a professional golf tournament in the US.  Quintana won the Morgan Town Classic in 1992.  She won the Venezuelan Amateur Championship eight times, and was a tour player on the US-based LPGA and the European and Futures circuits.  Injuries curtailed her career, and… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Graciela (Chela) Quintana

Enrique Barbosa “Henry” González (1916 – 2000) was the first Latino Representative elected from Texas.  González took office on November 4, 1961, and served in Congress longer than any other Latinx (as of 2017).  His parents emigrated from Mexico, and he was born in San Antonio, Texas.  González studied at the University of Texas and… Continue reading Enrique Barbosa “Henry” González, First Latino Representative, Texas

The time of the Trujillo dictatorship in the Dominican Republic was years of tears, blood, torture and murder. Over 50,000 people were killed during his 30 year reign of terror. Among the few courageous souls who opposed the brutal regime were the Mirabel sisters. The sisters were from a comfortable, upper class family, and had… Continue reading The Murder of the Butterflies 1960

Happy Birthday to Elizabeth Avellán Veloz, an American film producer born in Caracas, Venezuela on November 8, 1960.  Her family moved to Houston when she was a child, and Avellán attended Rice University.  A leader of the film production scene in Texas Hollywood (the city of Austin), Avellán was a co-founder of Troublemaker Studios.  With… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Elizabeth Avellán Veloz, Dream Producerr

Happy Birthday to musician and singer Alicia Armendariz, one of the first women in California’s punk music scene to star as the lead singer of a punk rock group.  Known professionally as Alicia Bag, Armendariz was born in East Los Angeles, California; her parents were Mexican immigrants.  Her musical expression is described as “estilo bravio”… Continue reading Alicia Armendariz, Musician and Singer

Happy Birthday to educator, lawyer, social activist and politico Norma Cantú, born on November 2, 1954 in Brownsville, Texas.  Cantú earned a double major BA from the University of Texas and then a law degree from Harvard by age 22. She worked as an attorney with MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund).  In 1993… Continue reading Norma Cantú, Lawyer, Educator, Social Activist

Happy Birthday to artist, art professor, and museum director Lorraine Garcia-Nakata, born in Yuba City, California, on November 14, 1950. Garcia- Nakata’s grandparents immigrated to the US in 1914 during the Mexican Revolution.  Garcia-Nakata has served the American public and the arts for over 30 years.  Her professional roles include Commissioner with the San Francisco… Continue reading Lorraine Garcia-Nakata ‘Follow Your Gifts’

Happy Birthday to an officer and a gentleman, and a doctor, Richard Carmona.  Carmona was raised in Spanish Harlem, and dropped out of high school. He joined the US Army, where he earned his GED high school equivalency. His Army career included service in the Vietnam War, and he was honored with numerous awards for valor, including… Continue reading Happy Birthday to Richard Carmona, US Surgeon General

Happy birthday to Congressman, Governor, college instructor, diplomat, and baseball player Bill Richardson, born in Pasadena, California on November 15, 1947.  (1947-2023) His mother was Mexican, and he spent his early years with his family in Mexico City.  Richardson graduated from Tufts University with a BA and an MA.  Richardson’s career has been in public… Continue reading Bill Richardson, Congressman, Governor and diplomat

Happy Birthday to Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega Saavedra, born in La Libertad, Nicaragua, on November 11, 1945. Ortega’s father was a citizen-soldier for of Augusto Cesar Sandino, after whom the Sandinistas are named. Ortega has a lengthy career in public service, starting as a citizen-soldier leader against the US-backed Somoza dictatorship.  He was a central… Continue reading Daniel Ortega Saavedra, President of Nicaragua

Happy Birthday to novelist, political activist, poet and publisher Manlio Argueta, born on November 24, 1936 in San Miguel, El Salvador.  Argueta studied literature and law at the national University of El Salvador, and is internationally known for his chronicling of the brutal civil war in El Salvador through his literary works. In 1972, Argueta had… Continue reading Manlio Argueta, Poet, Novelist and Political Activist

Happy Birthday to musician and composer Leandro Barbieri (1934- 2016), born on November 28, 1934 in Rosario, Argentina.  Barbieri began piano lessons at age 12, and his internationally successful career ignited when he switched to tenor sax. Known as “Gato” (“The Cat”), his Latin Jazz style evolved as he played in Argentina, Italy and the… Continue reading Leandro “Gato” Barbieri, Musician and Composer

Happy Birthday to Tina Ramirez, who danced into the world on November 7, 1933 in Venezuela. Her father was a Mexican bullfighter and her Puerto Rican great aunt founded the island’s first secular school for girls. A teacher, artist, and social entrepreneur, Ramirez founded the dance company and school Ballet Hispanico in 1970  For Ramirez,… Continue reading Tina Ramirez, Ballet Hispanico

Santiago Iglesias Pantín Iglesias was elected to a four-year term as Puerto Rico’s Resident Commissioner to the US House of Representatives on November 8, 1932. Born in La Coruña, Spain in 1872, he later immigrated to Cuba.   He spent seven years organizing the labor movement, was forced to flee from Cuba due to his support of… Continue reading Santiago Iglesias Pantín Iglesias, Resident Commissioner 1932

One of the most successful Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) at Coca-Cola, an iconic American company, was Cuban immigrant Roberto Crispulo Goizueta.  Born in Havana, Cuba, on November 18, 1931, Goizueta earned a BS in chemical engineering at Yale University.  He returned to Cuba and started as a production supervisor for Coke plants.  He immigrated to… Continue reading Latinos and Coca Cola: empowering an American Icon

The sharp burst of rifles tore through the assembled crowd, and Colombian workers screamed and fell as hot lead bullets ripped through them. The workers were striking in the central square of the town of Ciénaga, Colombia, against the United Fruit Company, a US corporation. The troops that fired were from the Colombian Army.  Colombian populist Congressman… Continue reading Colombian Workers Strike against the United Fruit Company

Happy birthday to Major League Baseball (MLB) star Saturnino Orestes Armas “Minnie” Miñoso Arrieta, born November 29, 1925 in Havana, Cuba. Minnie began his MLB career in 1949 with the Cleveland Indians.  Minnie’s courageous life included several significant “firsts”:  the first Latinx of African heritage to play in the major leagues and the first African… Continue reading Saturnino Orestes Armas “Minnie” Miñoso Arrieta, Star Athlete

Among the Latinas that you didn’t know were Latina is Linda Christian, the first Bond girl. That’s Bond, as in James Bond. Christian, whose given name was Blanca Rosa Welter, was born in Tampico, Mexico on November 13, 1923.  Her life story could have been written by an imaginative screenwriter. Christian’s aspiration as a youth was to become a… Continue reading The First Bond Girl was Latina!

The iconic mark of “Z” was first slashed on North American movie screens on November 27, 1920, with the release of the Hollywood film, “The Mark of Zorro”. The mythic tale stars a mysterious masked hero who defends the poor and exploited against the rich and oppressive (99% versus 1%). Flashing his sword, swirling his cape, and… Continue reading The Mark of Zorro 1920

One of Hollywood’s leading men of the 20th century, Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino, was born on November 25, 1920, in Mexico City, Mexico. Montalbán entertained audiences across the Americas.  In the US, his most famous appearances were as Mr. Roarke in the TV series “Fantasy Island” and as a truly evil illegal alien… Continue reading Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino, Hollywood Star

The US military declared martial law for the Dominican Republic on November 29, 1916, during the US invasion and occupation of the island. (Yes, really.) The undocumented and uninvited US Marines landed to “protect American interests”, which meant the island’s proximity to the Panama Canal. (The Panama Canal opened in 1914 with substantial financial investment from the… Continue reading US Invasion of the Dominican Republic 1916

On November 23, 1914, undocumented and uninvited US forces finally withdrew from Veracruz, Mexico, which they invaded and occupied for seven months.  From the Mexican point of view, the US is usually very nonchalant about crossing the border into Mexico, and this invasion spurred by the Tampico Affair was another example.  After Mexican authorities arrested… Continue reading US ends illegal invasion of Mexico, 1914

The brilliant physicist, educator, and researcher Albert Vinicio Baez was born in Puebla, Mexico on November 15, 1912.  Baez earned an MS from Drew University and a Ph D from Stanford.  Baez taught and conducted research at a number of prestigious institutions including MIT, Harvard, the University of California-Berkeley’s Lawrence Hall of Science, the Algerian… Continue reading Albert Vinicio Baez, Physicist, Educator, and Researcher

At the height of her luminous career, Libertad Lamarque was hailed by the London press as “the second biggest export from South America, the first being Carmen Miranda….” Lamarque was born in Rosario, Argentina, on November 24, 1908, and made her first appearance on stage at age 8. She became a star of the silent silver… Continue reading Libertad Lamarque, Star of the Silver Silent Screen

President Theodore Roosevelt was keenly interested in Latin America — usually to advance US expansion and imperialism in the region (known in some circles as highly inflated white male privilege).  As a young cavalry officer, Roosevelt fought in the Spanish American War in Cuba. He actively supported the Panamanian Revolution against Colombia, which “coincidentally” succeeded… Continue reading President Theodore Roosevelt and the Panama Canal 1906

An assassin’s bullet finally stopped the great heart of José Francisco Chaves on November 26, 1904.  Chaves was born in 1833 in Los Padillas, Mexico (now Albuquerque, New Mexico).  He began his education in Mexico, and studied at St. Louis University and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York City.  A doctor,… Continue reading The Assassination of José Francisco Chaves 1904

What would a revolution in South America be without the arrival of undocumented and uninvited US Marines from North America?  With keen geopolitical interest in the Panama Canal, the US and President Theodore Roosevelt were determined to protect the Panamanian Revolution that started the previous day. Undocumented US Marines landed on November 4, and were… Continue reading US Invades Panama, 1903 to 1914

On November 3, 1903, the newly formed nation of Panama declared its independence from Colombia, to which it belonged in the period after independence from Spain. The Panamanian revolution was heavily aided by US interests, which were determined to seize the territory from the Colombian government to build the Panamanian Canal. Shortly after Panama declared independence, the… Continue reading Independence Day in Panama 1903

Uninvited and undocumented US forces invaded Colombia on November 20, 1901, and remained until December 4.  The US forces were “protecting American property” in the Isthmus of Panama, which was then part of the Colombian nation (duh?). The troops kept the railway transit lines open during “serious revolutionary disturbances”.  Image from Library of Congress collection, political… Continue reading US Forces Invade Colombia 1901

As gunpowder and bullets burnt through the humid air in the tropics of the Philippines on November 18, 1899, Latinx war hero Maximiliano Luna was killed in action. Luna was fighting with the American “Rough Riders” led by Theodore Roosevelt in the Spanish American War (1898). Luna was a native of New Mexico, where his ancestors had… Continue reading A War Hero’s Sacrifice 1899

Jose Iturbi’s elegant piano music filled concert halls throughout Europe, South America, and the US. He was one of the few musicians to popularize classical music in Hollywood.  Valencia was born in Valencia, Spain, on November 28, 1895.  He began taking piano lessons at age 4.  Within three years he was studying at the Conservatorio… Continue reading José Iturbi, Musician and Hollywood Composer

The rich, complex murals of artist José Clemente Orozco grace the walls of respected institutions throughout the Americas.  Orozco was born in Jalisco, Mexico, on November 23, 1883.  Orozco faced numerous hardships in his passionate pursuit of art.  A gunpowder explosion in his youth destroyed part of his left hand and wrist, and partially blinded… Continue reading José Clemente Orozco, Mural Artist

Carlos Saavedra Lamas, an Argentine diplomat, scholar, and Noble Peace Prize winner, was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 1, 1878. During the Great Depression and the regional conflicts within South America, he worked as a peacemaker.  He served as Argentina’s Foreign Minister, as President of the Assembly of the League of Nations, and as… Continue reading Carlos Saavedra Lamas, Noble Peace Prize Winner 1936

As noted earlier this month, what would a revolution in South America be without the arrival of undocumented and uninvited North American troops? US and European naval forces landed in Montevideo, Uruguay, on November 25, 1855, during a battle between insurgents and Uruguayan government troops. Approximately 100 undocumented US troops stayed until November 29, occupying the customs… Continue reading US Troops invade Uruguay 1855

Latinx soldiers fought on both sides in America’s bloody the Civil War (1861 – 1865).  Among the Confederate officers was Santos Benavides, born on November 1, 1823 in in Laredo, Texas.  Benavides was the great-great- grandson of the founder of Laredo.  Benavides was commissioned a captain in the Thirty-third Texas Cavalry and was the highest… Continue reading Santos Benavides, Texas Cavalry Captain, 1823

As the firing squad readied their guns, one woman stood defiantly among the eight rebels kneeling in the central plaza of Bogota, Colombia, calmly gazing at death.  Policarpa Salavarrieta was one of the revolutionary leaders in Colombia’s wars of independence against Spain. La Pola, as she was known, worked with her brothers to organize a highly… Continue reading A Latina Rebel faces the Firing Squad 1817

The church bells of La Merced in San Salvador, the capital of the nation El Salvador, rang out for freedom on November 5, 1811.  Salvadoran priest and doctor José Matías Delgado sparked this 1811 Independence Movement from Spain. The rebels held power for a few months, but were soon defeated. In 1814, the freedom-fighters began their resistance… Continue reading Independence Day in El Salvador 1811

Félix Varela y Morales was an educator, priest, social activist, writer and publisher.  He was born in Havana, Cuba, on November 20, 1787.  He was educated in Saint Augustine, Florida, when it was still under Spanish rule.  As a social reformer, Varela’s beliefs were far advanced for his era; he opposed both slavery and the… Continue reading Félix Varela y Morales, Educator, Priest, Social Activist 1787

Do you know the way to San José? Latinx explorers and settlers certainly did, and they founded the city on November 29, 1777. José Joaquín de la Santísima Trinidad Moraga, who was born in the area of the Spanish empire now known as Arizona, led the expedition. San José was Spain’s first civilian and secular settlement in… Continue reading Founding of San Jose, California 1777

The Spanish empire and its economy dominated the Americas in the late 18th century, and the Spanish peso was the premier currency in the rebellious North American colonies.  The Spanish peso was so widely used that even the British paid their soldiers in the colonies in silver pesos.  The majority of the silver for the… Continue reading The Dollar / Spanish Peso 1776

The rustle of swallows’ wings and their soft songs have graced the area now known as San Juan Capistrano since all of our times began.  The region was initially settled by the Native Americans. The Spanish arrived in 1775, and founded the Mission of San Juan Capistrano on November 1, 1776.  This mission was the… Continue reading Mission of San Juan Capistrano, 1776

Junipero Serra, the zealous and controversial Spanish priest whose influence on California’s history and architecture continues to this day, was born on November 24, 1713 in Majorca, Spain. As a missionary in North America, Serra founded a total of nine missions from San Diego to San Francisco, forming the base of 21 missions throughout California.… Continue reading Happy Birthday Junipero Serra 1713

Surf was up! It was a beautiful sunny day in San Diego, on November 10, 1602, as Spanish explorer and invader Sebastián Vizcaíno (1548 – 1624) sailed through the waves into the gorgeous bay.  Vizcaíno was an accomplished globetrotter, and traveled to Europe, the Philippines, Japan, Mexico and South America — an impressive record in the… Continue reading Sebastián Vizcaíno, Spanish Explorer 1602

It was a tragic day in the history of the powerful, sophisticated Incan empire, Spanish invaders captured their emperor and began the conquest of their empire. The Spanish termed the encounter on November 16, 1532 as the “Battle of Cajamarca”. From the Incan perspective, noting that the Incans who met with the Spanish were unarmed,… Continue reading Fall of the Incan Empire 1532

Spanish conquistador (invader) Hernán Cortés and his small troop of soldiers first approached Tenochtitlan, the island capital of the Aztecs, on November 8, 1511. As one of his soldiers, Bernal Diaz, wrote, “…we saw so many cities and villages built in the water and other great towns on dry land and that straight and level Causeway… Continue reading A City of Dreams Tenochtitlan / Mexico City 1511

The Spanish continued to finance and support Christopher Columbus’ voyages, and on November 19, 1493, Colombus invaded the island of Borinquen, as it was titled by the Taino nation who resided there.  Most of the Taino nation died from diseases brought by the Europeans, though a number of Taino people survived in the Cordillera Central… Continue reading Defeating the Invasion of 1493

Butz’an Sak Chiik, the third king of the Mayan city state of Palenque, Mexico, was born on 9.1.4.5.0 12 Ahaw 13 Sak in the Mayan long count calendar, or November 14, 459 in the Western Calendar.  The panel in the image was carved in the 7th century to commemorate a dedication ritual performed by Chiik… Continue reading The King of Palenque, Mexico 459