Nasir Ahmed is an engineer, computer scientist and professor who created a revolutionary algorithm. Originally from India, Nasir was studying in New Mexico when he invented a way to compress image and video files that are the basis for most digital media and signal processing

The fiesta de la Candelaria (Candlemass) takes place every February 2, exactly 40 days after Christmas, and it marks the end of the holiday season. In Mexico, this holiday is another perfect example of the country's syncretism, this time between prehispanic, Catholic and Jewish cultures.

In the Spanish-speaking world, the highly-anticipated Día de Reyes celebration includes parades, special cakes, and lots of presents, but it all starts on the night of January 5 when kids go to bed dreaming about the visit of los Reyes Magos and the gifts they will bring

On New Year's Eve, people all across Spain and Latin America carry out curious traditions to welcome in the New Year. Burning paper dolls, eating grapes, wearing specific-color clothing or throwing water onto the street are some of the many rituals meant to rid yourself

José Feliciano is an internationally acclaimed musician, singer and composer from Puerto Rico. Although he's had numerous hits throughout his prosperous career, perhaps he's best known for his uber-popular holiday song "Feliz Navidad". This simple, but catchy tune combines English and Spanish to prove that the holiday spirit doesn't

Las posadas mexicanas take place during the nine days leading to December 25th. Like other Mexican traditions, the roots of this popular festivity date back to pre-Hispanic times when the Aztecs celebrated the god Huitzilopochtili during December. Adapted and merged with Catholic traditions, nowadays Las

The bright red flower known as Poinsettia is a common sight during the Christmas holidays. However, not many people know that this flower comes from Mexico and that it held an important place in Aztec society. With the arrival of the Spanish missioners and the

Pedro Henríquez Ureña was a Dominican writer, philosopher, humanist, literary critic, and educator, among other scholarly pursuits. Throughout his career he explored topics such as race, identity, citizenship and intellectuality in the Spanish-speaking world and he had a profound impact in Mexico's and Argentina's education

In September 1565, Spanish colonizers led by admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés arrived in northeastern Florida where they founded the city of San Agustín. To celebrate, they held a thanksgiving mass followed by a large dinner shared with the natives of the region, 56 years

William Walker was an American physician, lawyer, and journalist turned filibuster in the 1800s. After attempting to conquer Baja California and successfully -but briefly- gaining control of Sonora, Walker set his sights in Nicaragua, where he ended up proclaiming himself president until he was expelled