Students will emerge with a deeper understanding of the key concepts and themes that define modern Central American history, a more nuanced view of U.S. foreign policy in that history, and an appreciation of its impact on Latinx migration in recent years.

(1907–1992) Luisa Moreno was a labor organzer born in Guatemala City. She attended primary school in the United States and returned to Guatemala as a teenager before moving to Mexico City.

(1906–1994) José Coronel Urtecho was a Nicaraguan poet, essayist, playwright, diplomat, and historian.

1955– ) Dora Maria Téllez is a Nicaraguan historian and political activist.

(1955–1975) Arlen Siu was born in Jinotepe, Nicaragua.

(1895–1934) Augusto Sandino was born in Niquinohomo, a small town in Nicaragua. During his youth, he worked at an oil company in Mexico and became inspired by the message of social equality advocated for by Mexican labor unions.

(1942– ) Sergio Ramírez as born in Masatepe, Nicaragua. In the 1960s, he gained prominence as an intellectual and participated in the resistance against the Somoza government.

(1943– ) Carlos Mejia Godoy was born in Somoto, Nicaragua. He is a folk musician, guitarist, and songwriter…

(1867–1916) Ruben Dario was born in Metapa, Nicaragua.

(1925–2020) Ernesto Cardenal was born in Granada, Nicaragua.

(1948– ) Gioconda Belli was born in Managua, Nicaragua.

(1924–2018) Claribel Alegría was born in Nicaragua, but grew up in Santa Ana, El Salvador.

(1978– ) Fredi Onan Vicen Peña is a coffee farmer in Honduras.

(unknown– ) Miriam Miranda is a Garífuna activist who advocates for the rights of the Garínagu.

(1971–2016) Berta Cáceres was an environmental organizer. Her mother, a midwife and activist, cared for refugees from El Salvador during the violence in the 1980s. She became mayor of their town and governor of the state at a time when few women held these roles.

(1920–1977) Adrían Ramírez Flores was born in Guatemala City in 1920. He was a teacher and writer whose work was dedicated to the perception and expression of children.

(1964– ) Nora Murillo is a poet, social worker, and professor.

(1959– ) Rigoberta Menchú was born in Chimel, Guatemala to a K’iche’ Mayan peasant family.

(1902–1980) Marilena Lopez was born in Guatemala City. She was an actress, essayist, playwright, and puppeteer.

(1909–1966) Oscar de Leon Palacios was a teacher, editor, and writer.