This isn’t just about plaques and old buildings—it’s about whose stories get remembered and whose fade away. If Latino history keeps getting sidelined in official records, it sends a message about who "counts" in America’s narrative. And with political winds shifting, the fight to preserve these stories just got a lot harder.

<p>Less than 1% of sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places reflect Latino history. The Smithsonian Institute and Latinos in Heritage Conservation are working to keep that number from shrinking.</p>

Right now, Latino history is barely represented in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places—less than 1% of sites reflect their contributions. Advocacy groups and the Smithsonian are scrambling to protect what little recognition exists, but with the Trump administration's unclear priorities, there’s real concern these efforts might stall or even backslide.