to the writer check your sources......back in 1800s they werent cosidered a fraternity they cant even prove it

the writer didn't say they were a fraternity but that they had roots dating back to the 1800's. they started as a secret society, and that is said in the article. maybe you should read a little better.

"It began as a secret society known as the Union Hispano American for Hispanic men who came to the United States for an education."

Yes jeffrey is correct, please do some research before putting up incorrect material. The first organization to implement greek letters was Phi Beta Kappa in 1776, which is no longer a fraternity but a scholastic honor society. In the 1800's the only organizations that considered themselves greek were not open to Latins and there are no records of Latins having there own fraternity until 1975. Phi Iota Alpha's fraternity may have been established when they say, but just because they have Latins in their organization doesn't make them a Latin Fraternity. That title isn't even in their legal name. Records show that the first time a Latin fraternity has been mentioned in the media was in 1978 where Lambda Theta Phi was mentioned for their activities on campus that helped the Latin community. If you believe everything you see on Wikipedia, then you should work on your researching skills. Wiki can be changed by random people. My professor once purposely changed the description of a process to see how many students would use Wiki and copy it. The organization that claims to be the first Latin fraternity is Lambda Theta Phi. Please do some research and look up the National Association of Latin Fraternal Organizations. You will see that like the Black Greek Movement was started by Alpha Phi Alpha, the Latin Greek Movement was started by Lambda Theta Phi.

Like Rodolfo said previously, maybe you should read a little closer. The article explicitly states that Phi Iota Alpha first began as a secret society for Latin men in the United States. No where in the article says that Phi Iota Alpha was a fraternity in the 1800's or that is was the first organization to implement Greek letters. Phi Iota Alpha's roots date back to the 1800's with the establishment of the Union Hispano Americana in 1898 on the campus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Troy, NY. With the consolidation of Phi Lambda Alpha, Sigma Iota (THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL LATINO FRATERNITY of Latin American students in the US founded 1912 at Louisiana State University) and the Union Hispano Americana, Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was born on December 26, 1931. There are countless articles, proclamations, photos, etc as proof and evidence that Phi Iota Alpha is the Oldest Latino Fraternity in Existence, not the first. While Lambda Theta Phi may have been the first Latino organization accepted to the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Inc., it was not the first in the US. Although Sigma Iota no longer exists, its still holds the title of First Latino Fraternity in the US.

To all members of Phi Iota Alpha, please refrain from anymore postings. This is not worth our time.

As a prominent member of Phi Iota Alpha THE OLDEST EXISTING LATINO FRATERNITY est. in 1931 we have always pushed the ideals of Pan-Americanism. As we embark on our mission we have always shown acceptance, kept an open mind to all fellow Latinos under the premise that we can stand as a UNIFIED voice in an ever changing society. Our history is one that is diverse and rich with ties to many great organizations. Without these other organizations we would not be who we are today. As mentioned before our ties which started with Union Hispano Americano in 1898 did so as a haven to the prejudices of the time towards Latinos. The doors were opened to a networking organization in which Latinos found a home away from home. These men instituted a fraternal order among themselves, to share common goals and ideals. Even though "Fraternities" were unheard of back then for Latinos that did not change the fact that fraternal orders were established to combat society and its views. Fraternal orders were established all over the country for many who stood united under one common goal or opinion. The KKK started as a fraternal order with differing views, but none the less they stood together. Our history can not be denied nor re-written and for many who are unaware or merely uneducated on the subject it wouldn't hurt to pick up a book and gain some enlightenment. I personally will never impose my views on anyone and everyone is entitled to their opnions, views, or whatever the case maybe.

http://www.fisigmaalfa.org/joomla/index.phpoption=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=6


http://www.phiota.org/archives/

www.alumnifriends.mines.edu/. ../1932/999last.htm

follow the links.....thanks!

http://www.alumnifriends.mines.edu/photo_gallery/1932/999last.htm

http://www.fisigmaalfa.org/joomla/

http://www.phiota.org/archives/

The links should work now....remember it's all about research!

By now we should concentrating and how we can work together to unite Latinos!!