On July 4, 1946, the closing day of the XIX Congress of Pax Romana, in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, Madrid, Spain,with the presence of almost all the Latin American republics (missed Costa Rica, Honduras and the Dominican Republic), eighty two Congress people decided to create a new institution, according to the immediate demands of hispanoamericanismo, and founded an Ibero-American Cultural Institute, chaired by Pablo Antonio Cuadra. A few months later the project was assumed by the Spanish State and the Institute of Hispanic Culture (ICH) was created.

Parallel to the creation of ICH in Madrid, similar centers are generated in different provinces of Spain and Latin America. These centers carry legal personality, independent resources and full autonomy. Its aims coincide with those of Madrid while maintaining regional aspects. Among these centers the Catalan Institute of Hispanic Culture, known today as the Catalan Institute for Iberoamerican Cooperation is created.

From Catalonia, Spain were Dr. David Cardust, Dr. Carlos Vallbona, Dr. John Olive, and Carlos Rusca, who think in embracing in Houston the concept of the IHC created in Catalonia. These professionals oined Dr. Enrique Iglesias, originally from Madrid, and Pedro Sanchez, from province of Navarra, Spain and US citizen, and founded in 1965 the Institute of Hispanic Culture based in Houston. It was precisely Pedro Sanchez who wrote the By-laws of the new organization. After the election of Latino Presidents like Benjamin Suarez, Argentinian, the institute put into practice in Houston its extension to Hispano-America.

During more than 50 years, several Board of directors have carry on the presence of the Institute of Hispanic Culture based in Houston. We invite you to maintain that presence and pursue our charitable, educational and scientific purposes as well as to promote and disseminate Hispanic arts and Culture. Join us as member at www.ihch.org tab Become a member.

MORE HISTORY

The Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston, Inc. was formed in 1965 but not officially incorporated as a non for profit organization in the State of Texas until 1967. At first, it was associated with the Institute of Hispanic Culture of Spain, but later, at the suggestion of Dr. Cardus, the first appointed president, the organization was independent so that it could include all the Hispanic nations of the world. In 1968, Dr. Pedro C. Caram was the first membership elected president of the IHCH.

The Colombus Day Galas of 1964, organized and chaired by Dr. Iglesias, and 1965, Co-chaired by Dr. Iglesias and Mrs. Pedro and Dorothy Caram, were the inspiration of the future galas of the IHCH, since the proceeds from both galas were dedicated to scholarships to students of Hispanic arts.

The first scholarship was award to Ron Howard to study classical Spanish guitar in Spain and the second to a student artist to study art in Argentina. The galas have been the principal fundraisers of the funds for the operation of the IHCH, including the cultural and scholarship programs. 2017 celebrated 51 years of the founding of the IHCH and the official Noche de las Américas Gala.

Festival Folklorico: Día de la Hispanidad which is performed at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park began in 1983 under the Presidency of Dr. Dorothy Caram with the special guest appearance of Mario Moreno “Cantiflas”. A matching Miller grant was received by IHCH to begin the funding of the yearly productions. Matching funds were raised from foundations, businesses corporations and individuals and a magazine program of ads was distributed free at the event.

The mission of the Día de la Hispanidad was to inspire local Hispanics to establish folkloric music and dance groups of their countries of origin. As professionally as possible, the annual event would feature an honored Hispanic worldwide star of stage, TV, radio or music and the performance of several local folkloric dance groups. In 2001, the event began contracting musical and dance groups that sometimes were recommended by the Managing Director of Miller Theatre, Cissy Segal Davis.

RECORDS

1967 Dr. David Cardus (MD)Appointed
PO Box 20387 Houston 77025
1968 Dr. Pedro C Caram (MD) First Elected
First Noche de las Americas Gala
1969 Dr. Walter Rubin (PHD-UH)
1970 Dr. Jorge Weibel (MD)
1971 Hon. Stella Cheesman (Cons.Gen.Guatemala)
1972 Dr. James Castaneda (PHD-Rice)
1973 Dr. George Kipperman (MD)
1974 Jose Lopez (businessman)
(Nov. 7) Moved to Keith Jackson Building- 1603 Drew St.
1975 William H. January (Attorney)
1976 Olivia Munoz (Teacher)
1977 Dr. Pedro Bermudez (MD) (Served Six Months)
Hon. Antonio Renazco (Cons.Gen. Nicaragua)
1978 Hon. Antonio Renzaco
1979 Amando Villarreal (CPA)
(First IHCH Budget Established)
1980 Dr. James Castaneda (PHD-Rice)
1981 Dr. Pedro C. Caram ( MD)
(Feria del Libro- Spain/HISD)
1982 Mr. Pedro A. Grana (Businessman)
(May) Moved to 2102 Austin Suite 107
1983 Dr. Dorothy Caram,(EDD)
First Miller Outdoor Theatre – Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad
Mario Moreno Cantinflas
(Members trip to Dallas/Ft.Worth Goya/Greco Exhibits- First Goodwill Houston/Spain Trip Galicia)
1984 Mr. Bruce Martin (Attorney)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (in Collaboration with Club Mexico Bello)
Pedro Vargas Honored guest star and numerous Folkloric Groups of Houston.
Moved to warehouse 5645 Hillcroft S.102,off Harwin
1985 Mr. H. Rolando Leguizamon(Businessman)
No Festival- Miller Closed for repairs.
1986 Dr. Carlos H. Fernandez, (MD)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad
1987 Dr. Jose Trujillo (MD)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Argentina Special Guest: Libertad Lamarque)
Moved to warehouse-2930 A Rogerdale off HWy 8
1988 Helen Morales (Secretary to Mayor of Houston)
Folkloric Festival (Spain..Special Guest Rocio Jurado)
 1989 Dr. Maria Teresa Leal ( PHD- UH)
Folkloric Festival
Moved to 5 Chelsea Blvd. off Montrose Blvd.77006
1990 Andrea I Camp
 (Silver Anniversary IHCH celebrated)
 Folkloric Festival
1991 Servando Van Ramos (Businessman)
Folkloric Festival (Puerto Rico-Shining Star of the Caribbean-Ednita Nazario, Special Guest Star.
Moved to 3400 Bissonnet Suite 135 Houston 77005
1992 Servando Van Ramos (Businessman)
Folkloric Festival (A Salute to Colombus-Elizabeth Lanier, Lauri Lindemulder- pianists, Peggi Rivera, guitarist folkloric groups of Texas.)
1993  Dr. Dorothy Caram (EDD)
(2nd Houston-Spain Goodwill trip)
Folkloric Festival Honoring Panama-Nomra Norma Zenteno and Secret 
 1994 Edgardo E. Colon (Attorney)
Folkloric Festival (A Tribute to Chile: Los Huasos Quincheros)
1995 Dr. Remberto Rangel, (MD)
Folkloric Festival (A Salute to Colombia: Fernando Lizarazo y su Conjunto “Alma LLanera”)
Moved to 3315 Sul Ross – Own Building
1996 Andres D. Puello (Businessman)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (A Salute to the Republic of El Salvador-Alvaro Torres)
1997 Gloria Yampey-Jorg (Professor-HCC)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (A Salute to the Republic of Peru- Tania Libertad.)
1998 Pedro Grana (Businessman)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad
1999 Alberto Fernandez (Businessman)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad
2000 Felix Fraga (SocialWorker)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Salute o Brazil Jesus Fichamba Honored Guest)
2001 Luisa Trujillo ( Volunteer)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Hispanics in Houston, Harris County and USA. Joe Lopez y Nueva Imagen Mazz, Tribute to Anthony Quinn Ball Guest: Rafael)
2002 Miriam Sera (Interior Designer)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad
2003 Daniel E. Aviles (Ph.D., PE)
Folkloric Festival
2004 Daniel E. Aviles (Ph.D., PE)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad(Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan)
2005 Miriam Sera, (Int. Designer)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Jose A. Diaz founder of Caliente Latin American Ensemble)
2006 Dr. Remberto Rangel (MD)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Estampas Portenas: Tango Fire–Honoring Maria Victoria Cervantes)
2007 Dr. Manuel Sosa (PHD)
Folkloric Festival (Tiempo Libre and Irma Infante- Tribute to Pedro Infante)
2008 Dr. Manuel Sosa (PHD)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (25th annual -Marco Antonio Muniz “El Lujo de Mexico”)
2009 Carlos M. Sera
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Paco Pena: A Compas Flamenco Music/Dance Spain)
2010 Dr. Oscar Fonseca (MD)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Guest Star Christian Castro)
 2011 Joseph McReynolds (Businessman)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (La Jota Around the World, Associacio Cultural L’Alima de Betera, Spain.(In conjunction with la Casa de Espana)
2012 George Diaz- Arrastia (Attorney)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Forever Tango Tribute to Marcelo Marini)
2013 Hon. Diane M. Guariglia (Judge)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (A Tribute to Colombia Grupo Niche)
2014 Lia Tusanotte (Aerospace Engineer)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (30th Anniversary Siudy: Between Worlds-Entre Mundos)
2015 Lia Tusanotte (Aerospace Engineer)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Celebrating Central America-La Autentic Santanero de 50th anniversary of IHCH Gildardo Zarate Mendez)
2016 George Diaz-Arrastia (Attorney)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Cuba -Special Guest Star Aymee Nuviola)
2017 Dr. Marcos Calderon (MD)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Puerto Rico Plena Libre)
2018 Dr Randall Stenoien (MD)
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Argentina Alma Salvaje )
2019 Yolanda Velazquez
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Venezuela: Through Your Eyes)
2020 Escarle Silva
Folkloric Festival: Hispanic Day -Dia de la Hispanidad (Virtual Program )