1. The vital presence of Hispanic groups in the U.S.A.

2. Before the year 1500 ► Many Indian tribes inhabited the current U.S. territory before the Spaniards came to America. ► In 1527 Alvarez Nuñez Cabeza de Vaca, a Spanish conqueror, started exploring the South and Southeast of today’s U.S. territories.

3. Between 1600 and 1800 ► The Spaniards colonized what today is New Mexico. ► Spanish missioners constructed Catholic missions in Texas and California.

4. Wars with Mexico (1846-1848) and Spain (1898) ► In 1848 the U.S. won the war with Mexico and took possession of California, Arizona, New Mexico and other states. ► In 1898 the U.S. won the war with Spain and Spain lost Cuba and Puerto Rico.

5. First half of the 20 th Century ► 1900: The Foraker act incorporates Puerto Rico to the U.S. ► 1910: The Mexican revolution increases immigrations to the U.S. ► 1917: U.S. citizenship is granted to all Puerto Ricans.

6. Second half of the 20 th Century ► 1959: The Cuban revolution took place. A big Cuban exodus to the U.S. started. ► 1965: Cesar Chavez founded the United Farm Workers Organization in California. ► 1979: Big immigrations from Central and South America. ► 1994: The government of California negates education and medical insurance to illegal aliens.

7. The vital presence of Hispanic groups in the U.S.A. ► Part II: The Present

8. Hispanics: The biggest minority ► There are Hispanic groups in almost every city of the U.S.A. ► There are four main groups of Hispanics. ► Their contributions to the economy and culture have become important.

9. The Mexican-Americans or Chicanos ► They form the biggest group of Hispanics. ► They are found mainly in California, Nuevo Mexico, Arizona, Texas and Colorado. ► Some famous Chicanos: Edward James Olmos, Carlos Santana, Sandra Cisneros, Cesar Chavez, Antonio Villaraigosa. Mayor of Los Angeles

10. The Puerto-Ricans ► The second biggest group of Hispanics in the U.S. ► They hold U.S. citizenship. ► Many live in New York. ► Famous Puerto-Ricans: Ricky Martin, Marc Anthony, Soraida Martinez. Ricky Martin

11. The Cuban-Americans ► The third biggest group of Hispanics in the U.S. ► Most of them reside in Florida, New Jersey and California. ► Some famous Cuban- Americans: Daisy Fuentes, Andy Garcia, Cameron Diaz, Gloria Estefan. Cameron Diaz

12. The Central-Americans ► The fourth biggest group of Hispanics in the U.S. ► The Salvadorians are the biggest group among them. Most of them reside in Washington D. C. and Los Angeles.

13. Other Hispanic groups ► Other big groups: Spaniards, Peruvians, Dominicans, Bolivians, Venezuelans, Paraguayans, Colombians. ► The Hispanic population in the U.S. surpasses 30 millions and includes a big variety of cultures.