John Leguizamo Launches PBS Series on Latino History

John Leguizamo is set to premiere his three-part PBS series, 'American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos,' which seeks to reclaim and highlight the significant contributions of Latinos throughout American history, countering the historical erasure noted by a Johns Hopkins University study that found 87% of Latino contributions were missing from textbooks. The series covers a range of topics from the advanced Indigenous civilizations like the Maya, Aztec, and Inca to the roles of Latinos in the American Revolution and Civil Rights Movement. Leguizamo emphasizes the importance of recognizing the rich history that predates Columbus, aiming to instill pride in Latino heritage among viewers, particularly the younger generation. The series features commentary from historians and activists, as well as performances by notable actors reading original historical texts. Co-creator Ben DeJesus describes the project as a 'virtual visual history book' that intends to expand upon this critical narrative. The first episode is set to air on PBS, marking a significant cultural moment during National Hispanic Heritage Month.