why is hispanic heritage month important essay

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Hispanic Heritage Month

By: History.com Editors

Updated: September 15, 2023 | Original: September 11, 2020

Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the history and culture of the U.S. Latino and Hispanic communities. Hispanic Heritage Month 2023 will last from Friday, September 15, 2023 through Sunday, October 15, 2023.  The event commemorates how those communities have influenced and contributed to American society at large.

Origins of Hispanic History Month

The term Hispanic or Latino (or the more recent term Latinx) refers to a person’s culture or origin—regardless of race. On the 2020 Census form, people were counted as Hispanic or Latino or Spanish if they could identify as having Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or “another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.”

Hispanic Heritage Month actually began as a commemorative week when it was first introduced in June of 1968 by California Congressman George E. Brown. The push to recognize the contributions of the Hispanic community had gained momentum throughout the 1960s when the civil rights movement was at its peak and there was a growing awareness of the United States' multicultural identities.

Brown, who represented East Los Angeles and a large portion of the San Gabriel Valley—both heavily populated by members of the Hispanic and Latinx communities—wanted to recognize the role played by those communities throughout American history.

On September 17, 1968, Congress passed Public Law 90-48 , officially authorizing and requesting the president to issue annual proclamations declaring September 15 and 16 to mark the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Week and called upon the “people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first Hispanic Heritage Week presidential proclamation the same day.

Why the Date of Hispanic Heritage Month Is Important

The timing of Hispanic Heritage Month coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of several Latin American nations. September 15 was chosen as the kickoff because it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of five “Central American neighbors,” as Johnson called them—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Those five nations declared their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821.

In his proclamation, Johnson also acknowledged Mexico, which declared its independence from Spain on September 16, 1810. Although not mentioned specifically by Johnson, Chile also celebrates its independence during that week (September 18, 1810 from Spain) and Belize, which declared its independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981, was subsequently added to the list of nations specifically celebrated during what is now Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Expands From a Week to a Month

From 1968 until 1988, Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan all issued the yearly proclamations, setting aside a week to honor Hispanic Americans. In 1987 U.S. Representative Esteban E. Torres of California proposed the expanding the observance to cover its current 31-day period. Torres wanted more time so that the nation could “properly observe and coordinate events and activities to celebrate Hispanic culture and achievement.”

In 1988, Senator Paul Simon (D-Illinois), submitted a similar bill that successfully passed Congress and was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on August 17, 1988. And on September 14, 1989, President George H.W. Bush (who had been a sponsor of the original Hispanic Heritage Week resolution while serving in the House in 1968) became the first president to declare the 31-day period from September 15 to October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Not all of the contributions made by Hispanic Americans to our society are so visible or so widely celebrated, however. Hispanic Americans have enriched our nation beyond measure with the quiet strength of closely knit families and proud communities,” Bush said .

In the decades since, National Hispanic Heritage Month proclamations have been made by every sitting president of the United States.

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National Hispanic Heritage Month Hispanic Heritage Month , United States Census Bureau The Creation and Evolution of the National Hispanic Heritage Celebration , United States House of Representatives National Hispanic Heritage Month , Library of Congress National Hispanic Heritage Month, 1989 , The America Presidency Project National Hispanic Heritage Week bill signed , Sep. 17, 1968, Politic

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What is Hispanic Heritage Month and why do we celebrate it? What you need to know

Every year, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

While it's important to uplift the voices, culture, history and contributions of the Hispanic and Latin o communities year-round, the U.S. government formally designated the month to spotlight the contributions made by "American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America,” according to the  official government website.

Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated for decades. However, questions still swirl like "What is Hispanic Heritage Month?" and "Why is it split between two months?"

Ahead of highlight achievements by Latinos and their culture, here is everything to know

The history of Hispanic Heritage Month

Before it was a month-long celebration it was just one week. Rep. Edward R. Roybal and Rep. Henry B. Gonzales championed a bill for a week-long observance, Hispanic Heritage Week.

“The bill was introduced at a moment of political radicalization by young Mexican-Americans demanding fair access to resources, including government services and education,” Frances Negron-Muntaner, an English and Comparative Literature professor at Columbia University, said. 

“Although Hispanic Heritage Month officially began as a state project, it was also a response to decades of Latino activists, particularly during the 1960s, whose demands included recognition of their culture, history and rights.”

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the proposed legislation into law in 1968. 

It wasn't until two decades later, on Aug. 17, 1988, Hispanic Heritage Week became legally expanded to a 30-day observance from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 under President Ronald Reagan. Hispanic Heritage Month was first proclaimed or publicly announced to the American people by President George H.W. Bush in 1989 . 

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month split between September and October?

People may be wondering why the heritage month is celebrated in the middle of two months. There's a good explanation for that. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for Hispanic Heritage Month because it is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores or “ Grito de Dolores," according to Carlos Olave, head of the Hispanic Reading Room at the Library of Congress. This event marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence and resulted in freedom for the New Spain Colony (now Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras and Nicaragua) in 1821.

Mexico, most Central American countries and Chile commemorate their independence from Spain on Sept. 15, Sept. 16, and Sept. 18, respectively.

Columbus Day happens to fall during Hispanic Heritage Month, but instead of honoring the controversial explorer, Spanish-speaking countries celebrate “ Día de la Raza ” or “Day of the Race” on Oct. 12. This holiday, which bookends Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S., recognizes the blend of indigenous and European or mestizo heritage across Spanish-speaking countries.

How Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated today

Just like there’s no one-size-fits-all Latino or Hispanic experience, there’s no one way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month can range from hosting or attending cultural festivals to volunteering to help Latino communities in need,” Emily Key, Director of Education at the Smithsonian Latino Center in Washington, D.C., told TODAY.

Museums across the country, including The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino , offer programs and resources to honor Latino and Hispanic communities. Throughout the month, check out museums and libraries near you to see if they're hosting similar events. The best part: They're often free.

In Washington D.C., the Library of Congress will commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month throughout most of its 20 public reading rooms with blogs, performances, workshops, exhibits, screenings, lectures and special events. The Hispanic Reading Room will release 50 audio recordings by Latino writers from its PALABRA Archive, a collection of approximately 800 original audio recordings of 20th and 21st century Luso-Hispanic (a reference to regions once ruled by Portugal or Spain) poets and writers reading from their works.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage month at home by trying out traditional recipes from Latino and Hispanic chefs. Or make it a family affair by reading one — or all — of these children’s books at bedtime. For an adult reading session, consider a book from this curated list of Latin o authors , including the  March 2021  Read With Jenna book club pick. 

But if you feel like showing support with your wallet, then check out this list of Latin o -owned beauty brands to shop now and forever.   

Stephanie L. King is a city girl who now lives in New Jersey’s bear country. The married mother of two has never met a homemade chocolate chip cookie or nap she didn’t like. She and her beloved husband enjoy making up random songs for their kids and having family dance parties in their kitchen. She’s an educator, writer, editor and poet whose work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Patriot-News and OprahDaily.com. 

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Hispanic Heritage Month highlights culture, accomplishments of community. But is it inclusive enough?

September 15 marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, often seen as an opportunity to celebrate the lives, culture and contributions of the 62.1 million Hispanics in the U.S.

The month is celebrated until October 15 and recognizes Hispanic leaders and historic moments. Some take the opportunity to highlight discrimination against Hispanics while others celebrate their ancestors.

For as long as he can remember, Joel Camacho ended each September 15 eating pozole and reminiscing about life in Mexico with his family. The month marks a time for Camacho and his family to celebrate their culture. 

However, for others, Hispanic Heritage Month erases their identity. Fernanda He was born and raised in Puerto Rico, but her parents immigrated from China. He said the label "Hispanic" doesn't fully describe or accept her. 

Mexican Independence Day:  How September 16 signifies a 'moment of hope' for Mexico

"More often than not people think of white or light skin Hispanics during this month. They're forgetting the Asian, Black and indigenous Latinos like me," He told USA TODAY. 

So how is Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated, and how can it be more inclusive?

Tracing back to its origins

Originally, Hispanic Heritage Month was just a week. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a bill designating the week of September 15 as "National Hispanic Heritage Week," according to the Office of the Historian and the Office of Art & Archives for the U.S. House of Representatives .

However, in 1987, Rep. Esteban Torres of California decided a week wasn't enough to celebrate. So Torres submitted H.R. 3182, a bill to expand Hispanic Heritage Week into a Hispanic Heritage Month.

Honoring leaders: Pirates, Puerto Rican players honor Roberto Clemente on Sept. 15 with No. 21

Torres was quoted as saying he wanted "the American people to learn of our heritage. We want the public to know that we share a legacy with the rest of the country, a legacy that includes artists, writers, Olympic champions, and leaders in business, government, cinema and science,"  according to the House's History, Art and Archives office.

Torres' bill died, but a year later Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois submitted S. 2200, a similar bill, and then-President Ronald Reagan signed it into law on Aug. 17, 1988.

But why September 15th? It's in remembrance of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua; each country celebrates its national independence on that date. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16, Chile on September 18, and Belize declared its independence on September 21. 

'More inclusion is needed'

Hispanic and Latinx populations are expanding in the U.S., with the 2020 US Census reporting 62.1 million people who identified as Hispanic or Latino, making up 18% of the total population. 

The census also shared the amount of Latinos who identified as white fell from about 53% in 2010 to about 20% in 2020. Instead, those who identified as “other” rose from 37% to 42%, and the share identifying as two or more races jumped from 6% to 33%.

As fewer Hispanics identify as white, Margie Del Castillo argues Hispanic Heritage Month needs to amplify Black, indigenous and brown Hispanic and Latinx voices. 

"It's time to disrupt how Hispanic Heritage month usually goes. More inclusion is needed. We need to talk about those not usually seen, like Afro-Latinas," Del Castillo, the national director of field and advocacy at the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice , told USA TODAY. 

Diving into family roots: Exploring family history and Salvadoran heritage

Cynthia Rios and her family often ignore Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations. Growing up, Rios saw white Hispanics plastered on every campaign for the month; she never saw anyone who looked like her, both an Asian and Afro-Latina woman.

She said the month and most Hispanic celebrations often erase Black, Asian and brown voices and experiences. 

"If this month continues to only focus on the Spanish side of Latinidad and this term 'Hispanic,' it will continue to alienate Latinos who don’t identify as white," Rios told USA TODAY. 

Instead, Del Castillo argued Hispanic and allies should practice rejecting anti-blackness and embrace Hispanics who don't fit the "socially accepted" Hispanic box.

'More than a Taco Tuesday'

Anthony Mora said although it's hard to recognize 62 million people in four weeks, he's grateful Hispanic Heritage Month does shed some light on the community. 

The associate professor at the University of Michigan said the month encourages other Americans to learn more about the culture and issues among the Hispanic community. However, instead of companies and businesses creating events and sales around the month, Latinx people should spearhead the celebrations. 

"I wish I saw more Latinx people being the ones behind the content around the month. I'd want to see more schools learning about true Hispanic history, and I'd want to see it be more than a Taco Tuesday event," Mora told USA TODAY. 

Mora said in a country where Hispanic voices are often silenced, the conversations that are highlighted during the holiday are "crucial."

For Camacho, the month is a time for family reunions, meals and parties. He takes the time to educate his children about their Mexican ancestry and Latin American current events. His two daughters often dance the traditional Mariachi dance at a church festival every September in Arizona.

Although the month comes with its flaws, Camacho said he's grateful to be recognized. Del Castillo agrees, saying she'd take some recognition over total ignorance. In past Hispanic Heritage Months, Castillo said she's seen immigrant rights, discrimination and women rights given a platform. 

She hopes with each year the holiday becomes more inclusive, more uplifting and tells more Hispanic and Latinx stories. 

"I'm grateful for this holiday, I'm happy we're given a month where people are paying attention to our stories, but we must continue to do more all others months of the year."

Follow Gabriela Miranda on Twitter: @itsgabbymiranda

Performers dance to traditional music from Bolivia during 2012 Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations in Washington, D.C. Cities across the U.S. organize parades, exhibits, and festivals to celebrate the contributions of Americans of Hispanic descent.

• HISTORY & CULTURE

Everything you need to know about Hispanic Heritage Month

The U.S. has formally honored Hispanic heritage for more than 50 years, but people of Hispanic descent have influenced American history and culture for centuries.

From exploring the Western frontier on horseback to developing an early color transmission system for televisions, people of Hispanic descent have been helping to shape the history of the United States since centuries before the Declaration of Independence was ever signed. To celebrate the contributions of the approximately 60 million Hispanics who live in the country today, as well as the countless who came before them, the United States recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month in the fall of each year.

U.S. House Representative George E. Brown first suggested that the country formally recognize Hispanic contributions in 1968. At the time, Brown represented East Los Angeles and much of the San Gabriel Valley, where his constituents were largely Hispanic.

A Hispanic family is celebrated in a building mural in East Los Angeles. Today the neighborhood, which Congressman George E. Brown represented when he proposed National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, is 96.4 percent Hispanic .

Brown’s proposed law would authorize the sitting president to annually proclaim the week of September 15 and 16 National Hispanic Heritage Week. The two September dates were a nod to when many of the U.S.’s Hispanic neighbors gained independence from Spain: Mexico in 1810, and Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica in 1821.

After passage through Congress, the resolution was sent to President Lyndon B. Johnson for approval the same year. Earlier in Johnson’s career, he taught at a small Hispanic school near the Mexican border and was supportive of Hispanic rights. He signed the resolution into law and on the same day issued the first National Hispanic Heritage Week proclamation. Twenty years after the first National Hispanic Heritage Week, in 1988, President George Bush extended the week’s celebration to a month: September 15 through October 15. In recent years, its name has evolved to include variations such as Latinx Heritage Month .

It is with special pride that I call the attention of my fellow citizens to the great contribution to our national heritage made by our people of Hispanic descent—not only in the fields of culture, business, and science, but also through their valor in battle. Proclamation 3869, President Lyndon B. Johnson

As all Americans reflect on the Hispanic community’s accomplishments this year, here are six Hispanic individuals who have had a powerful influence on American history. ( Here's how Hispanics are shaping America's future. )

Explorers on the American frontier

In 1565, Spanish explorer Pedro Menéndez de Avilés established the first permanent European settlement in what would become the United States. The trade routes, forts, and cities the Spanish created as they expanded southwest still influence America’s geography, most visibly in the place names they left behind, such as Los Angeles (Spanish for “angels”), Montana (for “mountain”), and Florida (for “flowery”).

Congressional trailblazers

There are currently 54 Hispanic or Latino members in Congress , the largest class of Hispanic legislators in history. The first Congressional delegate of Mexican descent was José Manuel Gallegos in 1853. Although he could not read, speak, or write English, he introduced three pieces of legislation and pushed for language accessibility on Capitol Hill.

Decorated soldiers

Today more than 136,000 Hispanic soldiers serve in the U.S. military and 60 have won the Medal of Honor, the country’s highest military award. After World War I, the most decorated soldier in Texas was Private Marcelino Serna , an immigrant from Mexico. During the war, he followed a German sniper into a trench and single-handedly captured or killed 50 enemy soldiers. For his actions he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest award in the Army.

Civil rights leaders

Hispanic workers are the fastest growing labor force in the United States. For farm workers, their improved working conditions are thanks in large part to Dolores Huerta , who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association. In the 1960s and 70s, she negotiated laws in California granting farm workers the right to organize and collectively bargain for better working conditions. Huerta was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2012.

Inventors and space explorers

America can thank Hispanic inventors for the modern ballpoint pen, CAPTCHA , oral contraceptives, and color television. Scientist Ellen Ochoa holds three patents for optical-related inventions, but is most known for being the first Hispanic woman in space. She was also the first Hispanic and second female director of NASA’s Johnson Space Flight Center, home of the astronaut program.

Appointed officials

Although the U.S. has yet to have its first Hispanic president, for the last thirty years they have filled top positions in federal government. In 2009, Sonia Sotomayor became the first Hispanic citizen to serve on the highest court when she was nominated by President Barack Obama. She has written opinions from the bench on indigenous rights and affirmative action.

Editor's note: This story was originally published on October 4, 2019. It has been updated.

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Top 8 Reasons Why and How We Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

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Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S. runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. NPR celebrates these communities — with stories, podcasts and a Tiny Desk takeover , including "El Tiny" performances by Omar Apollo, Carla Morrison, Farruko, and other artists.

Yes, We're Calling It Hispanic Heritage Month And We Know It Makes Some Of You Cringe

Vanessa Romo

As the nation begins its annual celebration of Latino history, culture and other achievements, it's not too late to ask why we lump together roughly 62 million people with complex identities under a single umbrella. Peter Pencil/Getty Images hide caption

As the nation begins its annual celebration of Latino history, culture and other achievements, it's not too late to ask why we lump together roughly 62 million people with complex identities under a single umbrella.

As the headline unambiguously states, here at NPR we've kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month.

Not Latino Heritage Month. Not Latinx Heritage Month. Not even a compromise or a combination of the three: Hispanic/Latino/Latinx Heritage Month.

To be honest, NPR began to participate in the national event that is called Hispanic Heritage Month with no discussion about existing tensions within Latino communities regarding the use of the word Hispanic, its origins and whether it may be time to swap out the catchall label for something different.

Perhaps that has something to do with the rapid pace of the news recently regarding the end of a 20-year-long war in Afghanistan, another terrifying spike in the COVID-19 pandemic or this week's recall election in California.

Or, in full transparency, it could have something to do with the fact that as of 2020 only 6% of the NPR's newsroom and on-air journalists identify as Hispanic or Latino.

But it's not too late to pose the following thorny questions: What's the harm in lumping together roughly 62 million people with complex identities under a single umbrella? Is a blanket pan-ethnic term necessary to unite and reflect a shared culture that is still largely (infuriatingly) excluded from mainstream popular culture? Or the more basic question: ¿Por que Hispanic?

How Latinos/Latinas/Latinx people became Hispanic

Hispanic Heritage Month initially began as a weeklong celebration in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson who, at the time said , "The people of Hispanic descent are the heirs of missionaries, captains, soldiers, and farmers who were motivated by a young spirit of adventure, and a desire to settle freely in a free land."

"This heritage is ours," he proclaimed.

It wasn't until 1988 that President Ronald Reagan extended the week to a full 31 days — through Oct. 15 — keeping the Sept. 15 start date because it coincides with national independence day of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Similarly, Mexico celebrates on the 16th, Chile on the 18th and Belize on the 21st.

But even before Johnson landed on the term Hispanic, there was a lot of debate within government entities on how to refer to Latinos in the United States, Cristina Mora, a sociologist at the University of California, Berkeley, tells NPR.

Mora, who wrote about the adoption of the term Hispanic in Making Hispanics: How Activists, Bureaucrats, and Media Created a New American , found that use of the umbrella categorization is inextricably linked to the U.S. Census and its attempts to identify and quantify different groups of people.

The Pew Research Center reports that in the 1930s Latinos living in the U.S., regardless of their place of birth or family origin, were all noted as "Mexican" by door-to-door U.S. Census Bureau counters. It wasn't until 1970 that the agency began asking Latinos living in the U.S. to self-identify as either "Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American, Other Spanish" or "No, none of these." This, however, led to a bizarre and unexpected underrepresentation of white Americans who misunderstood the classifications. Apparently, hundreds of thousands of confused people living in the South or central regions of the U.S. mistakenly identified as Central or South American, according to Pew.

But even with the added Latino subgroups, Mora says the 1970 Census once again resulted in a severe undercount of the minority but growing population, which in turn led to a national backlash from activists, academics and civic leaders who demanded fair representation.

Latinos could have been called "Brown"

New groups were formed to tackle the problem, including the Census Bureau's Spanish Origin Advisory Committee and a group of Spanish-speaking federal employees called the Ad Hoc Committee on Racial and Ethnic Definitions . Mora recalls several of the options being floated at the time included "Brown," "Latin American," "Latino" and Hispanic.

"One of the problems is that Latinos were seen as foreigners, invaders and not inherently American. And one of the jobs of the advisory board was to really show that Latinos were an American minority group, like African-Americans — a minority that stretched from coast to coast and that were patriotic, that fought in wars, that contributed to American history, that built American cities. So when a term like Latin American was used, right away, it seemed to strike discord because it was seen as too foreign," Mora explains.

She adds: "Hispanic was never a term that everybody loved, but it was a term that got a lot of support from within Latinos in the Nixon [administration] and, later, the Ford administration." It was eventually added to the 1980 census.

Many Latinos had an immediate disdain for the term

"We hated the term Hispanic because it was a term that we felt was forced upon us by the U.S. government," Paul Ortiz, author of An African American and Latinx History of the United States , tells NPR.

"It wasn't a natural fit for anyone that I knew. I didn't know anyone growing up who said, 'Oh, hey, I'm Hispanic.' It was always either, I'm Mexican, Mexican-American, Chicano or Chicana," says Ortiz, who is also a history professor at the University of Florida.

A large part of that, he says, is based on the origins of the word Hispanic, which is the English translation of the Spanish "Hispano," meaning a person whose cultural traditions originate from Spain.

When that is the starting point, he says, "That immediately erases all of the centuries of pre-Columbian history, culture and civilizations that existed before the European conquest and colonization of the Americas ... and that's understandably upsetting to people who are not white." It alienates indigenous and Afro-Latino communities whose history includes deep resistance to the Spanish invasion and is not necessarily tied to Spain, Ortiz says.

The term Latinx is rising in popularity

The recent popularity of the word Latinx in the U.S. presents another alternative to the contentious Hispanic label that proponents say also offers gender inclusivity. Ortiz marvels at the way it has so quickly been adapted by young people, academic institutions and corporations alike, though it is not without its own critics .

When naming his book, it was his students who suggested using Latinx in the title. "Originally it was going to be African-American and Latino History in the United States . But my students really impressed upon me the themes of inclusivity and diversity, [saying] we have to be open."

He's also noticed that in the past two years or so, many of the speaking requests he's received from corporations are for Latino or Latinx Heritage Month not Hispanic Heritage Month — that includes an invitation to speak at a Deutsche Bank event later this week.

Ortiz suggests that one theory for the shift is that it is being driven by diverse employee organizations within the companies. "Almost all of them — the ones that have reached out — have taken on the term Latinx."

"I find this fascinating because the stereotype is that the term Latinx is being foisted upon us by academics but that's just not true," he says.

The types of stories told during Hispanic Heritage Month are also important

Beyond the dispute over what to name the month-long celebration, there is another concern: that in an effort to make it more palatable or commercially viable, stories of oppression, prejudice and injustice are whitewashed or ignored.

"Too often the focus is on the musical contributions or dancing or other happy artforms," Mario T. Garcia, professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, tells NPR.

"But we also need programming that reflects historical problems ... because you can't assume that Latinos already know about the lynchings in South Texas in the 1910s ," the Zoot Suit Riots , the segregation of Mexican kids in schools , or the Chicano-led high school walkouts of the 1960s that permanently changed higher education enrollment for Latino students.

In his experience, Garcia notes, the U.S. public education system does such a poor job of teaching Latino history in this country, that often Hispanic Heritage Month is the only opportunity for any students to learn about it. "It is a real shame," he says.

But approached in the right way, he adds, even these stories can be ultimately seen as happy. "Because the historic struggles of Chicanos, Mexican-Americans, other Latinos are happy stories ... because only through those struggles have we been able to achieve more social justice in this country, more education."

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Latino history and culture.

Learn more about Latino History and Culture

As part of the largest ethnic group in the United States, Latinas and Latinos have significantly contributed to the nation’s identity and have played a vital role in shaping American culture. The Latino population in the United States has grown to over 60 million today, leaving a big impact on its democracy, economy, and culture.

The Latino culture is extremely diverse, and there is no singular Latino experience.  Explore Latino foodways, art, and music, and learn about the rich history of Latinos, from pre columbian times to today.

Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of Hispanic and Latino history and culture from September 15 to October 15. During this month we give extra recognition to the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more.

Learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month (external link opens in a new tab)

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25 Meaningful National Hispanic Heritage Month Facts

Learn and celebrate.

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15 every year. It was started in 1968 and has become a national celebration that includes arts festivals and music events from New York to Los Angeles. How did Hispanic Heritage Month start? What famous Hispanic Americans are celebrated today? And what is this year’s theme? Find out the answers to these questions and more.

Hispanic Heritage Month Facts

The commemoration of hispanic heritage started as a weeklong event in 1968..

WeAreTeachers

President Lyndon B. Johnson officially created Hispanic Heritage Week on September 17, 1968. The idea, as Johnson explained it, was to honor the impact that people of Hispanic descent have had in the United States.

Teachers have been involved in Hispanic Heritage Month from the start.

When President Johnson created Hispanic Heritage Week, he asked teachers to create celebratory curriculum about the accomplishments of Hispanic people.

Ronald Reagan expanded Hispanic Heritage Week to a full month.

In 1988, when President Reagan was in office, Hispanic Heritage Week was expanded from a week to a month.

Hispanic Heritage Month starts on five countries’ Independence Day.

Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15 each year because El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Nicaragua all observe their Independence Day on that date. Mexico (September 16) and Chile (September 18) also celebrate their Independence Day during Hispanic Heritage Month.

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates people who are from or have ancestors from countries where Spanish is spoken.

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates people living in the United States who have ancestors from countries where Spanish is the primary language. The term “Hispanic” was created in the 1970s after the U.S. census started.

Twenty percent of the U.S. population identifies as Hispanic.

More than 62 million people in the United States, or one in five people, identify as Hispanic.

Source: PEW Research Center

Hispanic Heritage Month always has a theme.

The theme changes each year. In 2022, the theme was Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.

The 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month theme is Latinos: Driving Prosperity, Power, and Progress in America.

Check out the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month tools on LinkedIn.

There are 20 Hispanic countries and one Hispanic territory.

There are 20 Hispanic countries, or countries where Spanish is the official language: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Spain, Uruguay, Venezuela. The one Hispanic territory is Puerto Rico.

President George H.W. Bush helped start Hispanic Heritage Week.

When George H.W. Bush was in the House of Representatives in 1968, he sponsored the original Hispanic Heritage Week bill. Then, during his presidency, he declared the 30-day period from September 15 to October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month, lengthening the celebration to a full month.

In the United States, Mexican Americans make up the largest Hispanic population.

Americans of Mexican descent are approximately 62% of the overall U.S. Hispanic population.

Thirteen states have populations of at least 1 million Hispanic residents.

The 13 states are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.

Source: Census Bureau

Twenty-five percent of children in the United States are Hispanic.

One in four children in the United States is Hispanic, and most (94%) were born in the United States.

Source: National Research Center on Hispanic Children and Families

Starting with George H.W. Bush, every U.S. president has given a proclamation acknowledging Hispanic Heritage Month.

On September 14, 1989, President George H.W. Bush was the first president to proclaim Hispanic Heritage Month. Since then, every president has given a presidential proclamation acknowledging the celebration.

Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman in space.

In 1991, Ellen Ochoa became the first Latina astronaut in space. She brought her flute to play on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1993.

After English, Spanish is the most-spoken language in the United States.

If you include people who speak Spanish as a second language, there are more Spanish speakers in the United States than in Spain.

Sonia Sotomayor is the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice.

Sonia Sotomayor, originally from the Bronx in New York, was sworn in as the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice in 2009.

Philip Bazaar was the first Hispanic American to receive a Medal of Honor.

Bazaar was from Chile and a member of the U.S. Navy during the Civil War. He earned a Medal of Honor for bravery in 1865.

Luiz Walter Alvarez was the first Hispanic American to win the Nobel Prize in physics.

He won the prize in 1968 for discovering subatomic particles. He and his son proposed the theory that a meteor created the mass extinction of the dinosaurs.

Spanish is just one language spoken in Hispanic countries.

While Spanish is the official language in Hispanic countries, there are more than 370 other languages spoken by people across Latin America.

Famous Hispanic actress Rita Moreno is one of a few people to be a PEGOT winner.

Rita Moreno was the first Hispanic American to win an Academy Award. She has also won Peabody, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards. Her Emmy award was for her performance as a host on The Muppet Show .

Sylvia Mendez attended an “all-White” school seven years before Brown vs. Board of Education.

Sylvia Mendez was growing up in California when her parents fought to register her in a school in Westminster. The school superintendent refused, saying that Mexican Americans were “intellectually, culturally, and morally inferior.” Mendez’s parents took the district to court and won. In 1946, California schools were integrated.

Dolores Huerta coined the phrase “Si se puede.”

Dolores Huerta was a labor organizer who helped found the National Farm Workers Association with Cesar Chavez. She was the one who coined the phrase, which was used in Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign as “Yes, we can.”

Hispanic baseball player Roberto Clemente had more than 3,000 career hits.

Roberto Clemente was the first Hispanic American baseball player to win a World Series and the first Latino in the Baseball Hall of Fame. He batted 0.352 in 1970 and had more than 3,000 career hits.

Puerto Rican Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is the youngest woman to be elected to Congress.

Ocasio-Cortez was elected to the House of Representatives at age 29 to represent New York’s 14th Congressional District.

To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month, check out When Is National Hispanic Heritage Month? (Plus Ideas To Celebrate It) .

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Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

What is hispanic heritage month and why is it celebrated, it's a national celebration to honor the history, culture and influence of past generations that came from spain, mexico, the caribbean and central and south america, by cristina corujo • published september 13, 2023 • updated on september 15, 2023 at 10:45 am.

Hispanic Heritage Month has been a big celebration in the U.S. for more than 40 years. Americans across the country celebrate this month with pride and joy, while commemorating the importance of diversity.

Here are five things to know about Hispanic Heritage Month, its history and why we celebrate it in the middle of September.

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What is Hispanic Heritage Month?

It's a national celebration to honor the history, culture and influence of past generations who came to the U.S. from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Get Southern California news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC LA newsletters.

The observance started in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson's administration as a one-week celebration called Hispanic Heritage Week. Years later, President Ronald Reagan proposed extending this celebration into a month-long event. It was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988, officially designating the 30-day period starting on Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Why Does Hispanic Heritage Month begin on Sept. 15?

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The celebration starts mid-month because Sept. 15 marks the independence anniversary of five countries: Costa Rica, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.

It is followed by Mexico's Independence Day on Sept. 16 and Chile's on Sept. 18. Another important date that falls within this 30-day period is Día de la Raza, or Columbus Day, which is celebrated on Oct. 12.

What does Hispanic mean?

While many people use Latino(a) and Hispanic interchangeably, these two words mean different things. A Hispanic person is someone who comes from, or is a descendant of a Spanish-speaking country. Latino(a) is used when referring to someone who comes from Latin America, or is a descendant from any Latin American country.

A person can be both Hispanic and Latino(a), but not all Latinos are Hispanic. Brazilians, for example, are Latinos, but their native language is not Spanish. Conversely, not all Hispanics are Latino(a). Spaniards are considered Hispanic, but not Latinos, since they are part of the European Union. 

Hispanic countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Latin American countries are: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guadaloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Martinique, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Martin, Uruguay, and Venezuela.

Hispanic Heritage Month: 8 Latinos who influenced American life

From piñata to postage stamp, US celebrates centuries-old Hispanic tradition

How many hispanics are there in the united states.

The Pew Research Center says the U.S. Hispanic population is the nation's second-fastest-growing ethnic group after Asians. The Hispanic population in the U.S. reached a record 63.7 million in 2022, according to the U.S. Census . Hispanics account for 19.1% of the total U.S. population.

How do you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

People use this celebration to show the importance of Hispanics in the U.S. by donating to Hispanic charities, eating food from any of the countries that are being celebrated, learning from their cultures and honoring influential Hispanics who have made an impact on society.

This article tagged under:

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

What Being a Hispanic/Latino Means to Me and How It has Influenced My Working and Personal Life

This blog post features a compilation of narratives from Duane Morris staff members in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

By Yolanda Arnavat-Parga

I was born in Cuba and came to the U.S. in the early 1960s along with my parents and grandparents who were born in Spain and Cuba. Being Hispanic to me means having the opportunity to live with extended family, celebrating everything with delicious food, and enjoying our culture and heritage. As a child, it meant speaking Spanish exclusively at home, honoring your parents/grandparents, embracing your family’s expectations and traditions and changing hats depending on where we were in order to fit in. Later on, it meant working hard to excel at school/work and espousing the right ethics to honor our family and trying to mitigate any erroneous preconceived ideas about Hispanics. Today, it means embracing the richness of our diverse customs, culture and heritage and being proud of the current and future contributions of all Hispanics.

By A. Venissa Fernandez

I was born in the Dominican Republic and emigrated to the United States when I was three years old. Thinking back, I had no idea how lucky I was to have parents that made the incredible sacrifice in choosing to immigrate to the U.S. coming here with very little knowledge of the culture, the rules, and even the language to raise two young children.

Being Dominican is part of my personality, interests, and tastes in life. My identity gave me a starting place, and a whole tribe of people to relate to. Coming from a big family also taught me about community, loyalty, and respect. These things are crucial to my character, and I directly attribute them to growing up in a big Dominican household. I learned at a very young age that we were different, our culture, humor, music, food, even our birthday parties were different than everyone else’s.

In New York, the Dominican culture thrives in neighborhoods like Washington Heights, where I grew up, which experienced an influx of Dominican immigrants in the 1960s. Today, as you walk through the neighborhood, you experience how rich our culture is from the Bachata and Merengue music playing out of any open apartment window or store front, to the no frills local eateries offering a taste of home, or even the famous corner store called “Bodega”, selling all the local and island favorites. Similar to what was displayed, thanks to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical “In the Heights”. While growing up in Washington Heights helped me appreciate my Dominican heritage, I am defined just as much, if not more so, by my life-long experiences as a New Yorker, a very special breed of person.

Hispanic Heritage Month grew out of National Hispanic Heritage Week, which President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law in 1968. In 1987, Representative Esteban Torres pushed for a month-long commemoration. He argued that supporters of his bill “want the American people to learn of our heritage. We want the public to know that we share a legacy with the rest of the country, a legacy that includes artists, writers, Olympic champions, and leaders in business, government, cinema, and science. [The month-long celebration] will allow our nation to properly observe and coordinate events and activities to celebrate Hispanic culture and achievement.” Torres’ bill did not pass, but a year later, a similar bill – proposed by Senator Paul Simon – did, with President Ronald Reagan signing it into law on August 17, 1988.

Unlike Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month begins mid-way through September. This is because September 15 and 16 mark the independence days of Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Mexico.

Hispanic Heritage Month, serves as a means for all members of the Latino community, to connect with their heritage showcasing the beauty of our culture, and different traditions of other Hispanic countries.

By Josephine F. Garcia

I reminisce on the times my Abuelo Santiago and Abuela Carmen would tell me stories while growing up. My Abuelo had established his own milk company in Cuba with hard work and dedication. It was one of his most gratifying accomplishments, and one he was forever proud of in his life. My Abuela raised three beautiful daughters and was a dedicated housewife. While listening to their history, it was evident how much they loved the Country they had left behind. These anecdotes of their life in Cuba demonstrated to me the values and principles I live by today.

As a first generation Cuban-American, I was blessed with the opportunity to live with my grandparents alongside my parents for many years. It is a Cuban tradition for the family to all live together. The characteristics that were instilled in my family and I reflect the lives of my grandparents in Cuba. They were and will eternally remain my foundation. My grandparents were the humblest people I have ever known. They lived a life of honesty, trust, loyalty and dedication to their family and work.

Being bi-lingual has given me an advantage in my personal and work life, as we live in a diverse America where there are so many people of other Latin cultures and who speak the Spanish language. I love everything about the Cuban culture, and I will always be proud of being Cuban. I will forever keep my Cuban heritage alive and I have also taught my children to continue the legacy.

By  Andrew J. Hanna

I am a Chicano. A Chicano is a chosen identity for people of Mexican descent born in the States. My mother, who was born in Mexico, made it her mission to ensure that her children were raised to understand both of the cultures in which they were born. Being born and raised bi-racially has allowed me to accept and understand people that are different than me. As a person of mixed race and cultures, it has enabled me to help others in finding opportunities that lay quietly waiting to be discovered. Most importantly, being bi-racial has allowed me to witness the beauty of people and their contributions to our society and world.

By Sofia Lowenberg

There’s a broad range for what it means to be Hispanic in the U.S. It applies to someone who’s fourth-generation American, or, in my case, to someone who’s second generation (though there is some debate what first and second generation means). My first language was Spanish. My mother, Maria, was born in Bogotá, Colombia and my father, Fernando, in Guatemala City, Guatemala— both came to the USA in the early 60’ as adults, met in New York, and married in 1974. Both my parents came here to live the American Dream and they are extremely proud of both my brother and me. A New Yorker, born and raised in Queens, NY, I am fortunate enough to have obtained an education in the world’s finest city.

My paternal grandparents were from Spain. As a gift for my mother’s 75 th birthday, my mother and I went on a tour through Spain. We both felt a connection to Seville and Salamanca and I loved the vibe in Barcelona and Costa del Sol.

The Hispanic experience is incredibly diverse, it’s not just one point of view or perspective. For me, Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a means for all members of the Hispanic community, no matter their background, to connect with their heritage. I am sharing with my husband and my son the rich Hispanic culture, including teaching them Spanish and my love of music and dancing.

By Francisco Maldonado

I was born and raised in Puerto Rico. We are a friendly, family-oriented people who enjoy a rich Spanish influence. Being Hispanic has played a huge role in defining who I am and how I view the world. Of utmost importance are our really close-knit families and frequent family gatherings along with the Hispanic traditions that have shaped my experiences growing up. What better binds the family than food. Traditions such as Noche Buena (Christmas Eve), Año Viejo (New Years’ Eve), Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings’ Day), Fiestas de las Calles San Sebastián, Fiestas Patronales, Quinceañeros (Sweet Fifteen) to name a few. Something that cannot be absent during these family gatherings is delicious traditional food.

The taste and aromas of places, families and our histories are anchored in our memories by the foods and traditions we enjoy. My best memories go way back with my mother in the kitchen and my sisters hanging around watching her cook our daily meals and listening to what transpired during the day. The love and joy with which she cooked for us daily and the preparation of our traditional feasts significantly impacted me. Cooking was such a predominant part of our daily life that I chose to get a degree in Culinary Arts many years after college. As a result of my culinary training along with my childhood experiences and spending time in the kitchen with my mother, I have been able to mix and adapt my cuisine and eating habits. I cherish the memories of cooking special recipes passed down by my grandmother, my mother, and my aunts; I like to share them now with my family and friends. Nothing is more flavorful and portrays my Hispanic heritage more than a Pernil con Arroz con Gandules (Roast Pork with Rice and Pigeon Peas) for our Christmas Eve parties or mom’s Arroz relleno con Pollo (Baked Chicken and Rice) for special occasions, or Bistec con Arroz con Habichuelas y Tostones (Beefsteak, Rice and Beans and Fried Plantains) , after work. I enjoy integrating these traditions in the different events I plan for the Miami and Boca Raton offices as it is fulfilling sharing and teaching others about them.

By Diane Martinez 

I am proud to be Mexican-American. I was born in East Los Angeles, a predominately Hispanic side of the city. My parents were both born in the United States but my grandparents were of Mexican, Native American and European descent.

My father and father-in-law were born in poverty in 1932.   They both proudly served this country at a time when there was little opportunity. That experience opened the door for them to have successful careers and to provide a better living for their families than they had ever known. My father in-law was one of sixteen children. He grew up with little but his parents taught their children about devotion to God. The children learned to dance with each other and to have a joy for living. My father spent his entire career working on the very first space shuttle and subsequent shuttles for space exploration until he retired. He says that growing up he never imagined being a part of something so extraordinary.

What does it mean to identify with my heritage? It means that I am part of a people who have persevered and worked hard to succeed and live the American dream. We have strong family ties and family pride. We have faith, loyalty and passion and apply those traits to everything we do personally and professionally. My relatives have worked the land, served this country, and fought for civil rights. We are a family of humble beginnings, yet every generation has worked hard to succeed

It doesn’t hurt that we also make great music and some of the world’s best food!

By Laura I. Medina

Being a bilingual Puerto Rican in America comes with both advantages as well as some unfortunate “disadvantages.” Growing up in a Puerto Rican household, there is a dynamic culture such as amazing Spanish food, salsa dancing and telenovelas I grew up watching with my mom and my abuela (grandmother) just to name a few. My family stressed the importance of working hard every day, doing well in school so that I can get a scholarship to go to college (we didn’t have the money to pay for it), and I also found playing soccer to be an outlet. All of these things were vital to my success in America is what I taught.

Hispanics are the largest minority in the United States and only growing. Being fluent in reading and writing another language should come as a competitive advantage especially in the workforce. However, I quickly learned that this isn’t always the case as those same traditions I had embraced weren’t always embraced outside of home. As a child I remember struggling with balancing sticking with my culture and traditions, but at the same time trying not to show my roots to the world outside too much due to my experiences with prejudice. My brother, sister, and I only spoke only Spanish in the household then switched to English when we went to school.

As I got older, I learned that this carries over to the workforce and that it wasn’t just me. Hispanics suppress parts of their personas at work such as appearance and communication style to better fit in with the mainstream. I found myself doing the same to try to “make it” or get ahead. I was hiding the very things that make me who I am. Today I know that a large part of my success and drive comes from the morals and values from my Hispanic culture driven to me at a young age. It is my identity. If we instead embrace our differences and utilize them, we can actually be more competitive in a global market rather than trying to fit in to the one that currently exists

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Why do we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?

While they will always require context and analysis, numbers often speak volumes.

According to the Census Bureau , there are approximately 62.1 million Hispanics/Latinos living in the U.S. today, which equates to 18.7% of the population. Do these numbers seem small to you? Well, let’s add context: 10 years ago, it was 16.3%.

More context: In this last decade, half of the population growth was accounted for by Latinos. The other half was the Asian population (24 million in total), the white population (down in numbers from 2010), and the other demographic groups that make up an increasingly multiracial and multicultural country.

And there is a fact that speaks for itself: The average age of the Latino population is under 30 years old, specifically, within the range from 27 (2010 Census) to 29 (2020 Census). In other words, that’s a population that’s ready and willing to work, study, build, create, and contribute to the betterment of the U.S. for years to come.

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More context? We are talking about 10 years younger than the average age of the general population. This is a range in which many are forging a working future. Some have completed their university studies, and more than a few are starting their postgraduate studies. It is an age in which we have all learned many things, but we still have a whole life ahead of us. It is an age of youth, strength, and desire.

This is the future of Hispanics in the United States.

In 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which began on September 15 and commemorated the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It also marked September 16 through 18, the days on which Mexico and Chile also celebrate their national holidays. The resident’s proclamation urged the American people to celebrate the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities. And to further encourage participation, in 1974, President Gerald R. Ford issued a proclamation urging schools and human rights organizations to participate fully.

But a single week for such a large “minority” group was not enough. Twenty years later, on August 17, 1988, Republican Ronald Reagan reiterated Ford’s call for even broader recognition of Hispanic Americans. To that end, Congress passed Law 100-402, which extended the celebration to 31 days, a period dubbed National Hispanic Heritage Month, to celebrate the history, language, future, and past of Latinos in the United States.

At the time of Johnson’s proclamation in 1968, there were just over 9 million Latinos in the United States. As we said before, today there are more than 62 million people who identify their heritage with Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Central, and South America, as well as with some other Hispanic-Latino cultures regardless of their race.

This trend will only continue, especially if we consider the average age that we have also mentioned. The Hispanic population still has a lot to give. And it has already given this country an enormous amount.

Today, there are more than 4 million Hispanic-owned and founded businesses across the U.S., which are responsible for more than $700 billion in contributions to the U.S. economy. In the coming decades, Hispanics will represent an even larger proportion: The Hispanic population in the United States is expected to reach 128.8 million by 2060, making up approximately 31% of the U.S. population. They will constitute — as they do now — a significant portion of the labor force, which will add to the growing impact of Hispanics in all areas of U.S. life, whether in the workplace, the arts, culture, or science and technology.

Art, science, and technology emerge where there are ideas, vision, and effort. Where there is initiative, restlessness, and self-improvement. Where there is the ability to imagine something different from what we already have. And where we can put that imagination into action.

We all celebrate this month as one people. We celebrate as what we are.

This article was translated from the original Spanish version published on Digital Trends en Español

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California news | jurors in trump hush money trial end 1st day of deliberations after asking to rehear testimony, california news, california news | why hispanic heritage month starts in the middle of september.

National Hispanic Heritage Month begins Wednesday and will run through October 15, giving the United States an opportunity to recognize and celebrate members of our communities and their ancestors who hail from Mexico, parts of the Caribbean, Central and South America and Spain .

“The Latino community and Latino history is a fundamental part of American history,” said Emily Key, director of education at the Smithsonian Latino Center. “And recognizing that and understanding that are key reasons why this month is important.”

Here’s why America commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month and what you should know about it.

The history

Rather than starting at the beginning of September, Hispanic Heritage Month takes place over 30 days starting on the 15th — a nod to the anniversaries of national independence for a number of Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all recognize September 15 as the date of their independence, while Mexico’s independence is celebrated September 16 and Chile celebrates its independence September 18.

Hispanic Heritage Month traces its history to 1968, when the observance was just a week long. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a bill designating the week of September 15 as “National Hispanic Heritage Week,” according to the Office of the Historian and the Office of Art & Archives for the US House of Representatives .

In the inaugural proclamation , he wrote of the “great contribution to our national heritage made by our people of Hispanic descent — not only in the fields of culture, business, and science, but also through their valor in battle.”

“That was a period for sure, when Chicanos in the Southwest, Mexican Americans, Latinos across the country were demanding greater inclusion and representation politically, culturally, socially, economically — everything,” said Geraldo Cadava, professor of history and Latina and Latino Studies at Northwestern University and author of “The Hispanic Republican.”

“It was a demand for greater inclusion and representation and acknowledgment that Latinos play an important role in the United States,” he said.

It wasn’t until nearly 20 years later that Hispanic Heritage Week was lengthened to an entire month under President Ronald Reagan .

Rep. Esteban Torres of California had submitted a bill to expand it, saying in remarks at the time, “We want the public to know that we share a legacy with the rest of the country, a legacy that includes artists, writers, Olympic champions, and leaders in business, government, cinema, and science.”

Torres’ bill died in committee, but Sen. Paul Simon of Illinois submitted a similar bill that Reagan signed into law.

The contributions of Hispanics and Latinos to the United States are long and storied: Key pointed out that the first known colony in America was not Jamestown, but the Spanish colony of St. Augustine in Florida.

“Hispanics or Latinos … have fought in every war since the American Revolution,” she said. “They are business owners and veterans and teachers and public servants.”

She added, “Latinos are Americans, and they form part of this American fabric.”

A growing population

But Hispanic Heritage Month is a chance for the country to acknowledge not only the rich history of its diverse Hispanic communities, but who they are today, said Felix Sanchez, chairman of the National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts.

“Hispanic Heritage Month gives us an opportunity to update the American people as to who Latinos are today,” he said, “to provide a contemporary context for all of our communities that are very different, that are part of the Latino ecosystem.”

Part of that contemporary context is the fact that Hispanics and Latinos make up an increasing portion of the overall US population.

The 2020 US Census showed that Hispanics and Latinos make up a fast-growing, multiracial group: In 2020, 62.1 million people identified as Hispanic or Latino — 18% of the US population. That number had grown 23% since 2010. Comparatively, the US population not of Hispanic or Latino origin grew just 4.3%, census data shows.

Between 2010 and 2020, just over half of the total US population growth — 51.1% — was due to growth among Hispanics or Latinos, per the Census Bureau.

This growth is just another reason why Hispanic Heritage Month is important, Key said. “If you’re 18% or so of the population, then you should also have representation, and we should celebrate and understand these communities that make up a large portion of the country’s population.”

Observing Hispanic Heritage Month

There are lots of ways to acknowledge Hispanic Heritage Month, whether it’s engaging with books, films, documentaries — suggestions from Cadava include PBS’ documentary series on Latino America or the podcast “Latino USA” — or live programming related to Hispanics and Latinos and their history in the United States.

“If that means in your local community, going to a Mexican Independence parade, of which there are many across the country, you should do that,” he said.

Alternatively, museums like the Smithsonian have events and online learning resources for families to use as guided learning on Latinos and their communities, including profiles of Latino patriots in military history. People can also visit local museums, she said, that have Latino content and collections.

Or you can just speak with people in your neighborhood, Key said. “Talk to a friend, talk to a classmate, talk to a neighbor, talk to your grocer, or your local restaurant where you get your favorite tacos,” she said.

“People like to share about their culture and their communities. … Learn about who they are and why they are in the neighborhoods they’re in, and discover that we probably share more in common than we think.”

“Ideally, Hispanic Heritage Month would be unnecessary,” Cadava said, adding, “Do you need a month that is essentially American History Month, when Latino heritage, Hispanic heritage and American heritage meant the same thing?”

Sanchez echoed that, telling CNN, “Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity for both the Latino community to reinforce its accomplishments but also to extend beyond the Latino community, to remind all Americans that we are American.”

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Wonder of the Day #2806

What Is Heritage and Why Is It Important?

SOCIAL STUDIES — Cultures of the World

Have You Ever Wondered...

• What is heritage?
• Why is heritage important?
• How can you celebrate your heritage?
• Social Studies ,
• Cultures Of The World ,
• Hispanic Heritage Month ,

Today’s Wonder of the Day was inspired by Stephanie. Stephanie Wonders , “ What is heritage and why is it important? ” Thanks for WONDERing with us, Stephanie!

Who are you? You might start to answer that question with your name. But, of course, you’re much more than a name. What are your talents? How about your dreams or your values ? All of these things (and many others) come together to make up your identity . 

Today’s Wonder of the Day is about something else that shapes your identity —your heritage. What is heritage? The word can be difficult to define! Heritage is always something that’s or passed down by families or other groups for many years.

However, heritage isn’t limited to concrete objects. It’s also the customs, traditions, and values shared by groups of people. One way to think about heritage is to break it down into three groups. These are the tangible , the natural, and the intangible . 

What tangible items can be part of a person or group’s heritage? It can include many human-made objects that hold cultural value. Some examples are national monuments and works of art. Many ancient sites are also part of this group. On a smaller scale, a family home can be part of an individual’s heritage.

Many parts of the natural world are also important to cultural heritage. This can include bodies of water, plant life, landforms , and more. One example is the Nile River . It has been part of cultural heritage in many African nations for centuries. Efforts to protect natural heritage are key in many cultures.

The intangible group includes any part of cultural heritage that you can’t feel through touch. Maybe you’ve read about forms of dance, like flamenco dancing . You might know about the music of mariachi bands or holidays like Eid . These are all examples of intangible heritage. Languages, holidays, and customs also make the list.

Exploring your own heritage can be fun. It can help you learn about yourself, your family, and your ancestors . But it’s also important to learn about the heritage of others. Doing so can help you build a stronger understanding of other cultures. It can also lead you to find things you may have in common with others!

You may already know that certain months of the year honor specific cultures. For example, September is Hispanic Heritage Month. Are you of Hispanic heritage? If so, it’s a great time to be with family and celebrate your culture. 

If you’re not part of a Hispanic culture, then September is a time to learn. Try reading about the Grito de Dolores or the tradition of the quinceañera . Learn about famous people of Hispanic heritage, like Frida Kahlo . You could also attend public Hispanic heritage celebrations as a learner. Always remember to show respect for the cultural heritage of others. After all, you’d want the same from them.

Of course, there are several other heritage months. American Indian Heritage Month is in November, and Black History Month is in February. May is both Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month. Of course, you don’t have to wait for these times of year. It’s always a great time to celebrate your heritage and learn about those of others. 

How would you describe your heritage? If you’re interested in digging deeper, invite a family member to join you. It can be a great learning and bonding experience.

Common Core , Next Generation Science Standards , and National Council for the Social Studies ."> Standards : CCRA.R.4, CCRA.L.3, CCRA.L.6, CCRA.R.10, CCRA.R.2, CCRA.SL.1, CCRA.SL.2, CCRA.W.2, CCRA.W.4, CCRA.R.1, CCRA.L.1 , NCAS.A.1, NCAS.A.2, NCAS.A.3, CCRA.SL.4

Wonder What's Next?

Feel FRIDA share tomorrow’s Wonder of the Day with a friend!

Now that you’ve learned about different types of heritage and ways that it’s celebrated, try out the following activities with a friend or family member.

• Do you know much about your own heritage? What are some important parts of your culture? What foods are traditionally prepared? Are there dances or art that are significant? What about a mountain, lake, or river that has special meaning? Talk to a family member about your heritage and ask them some of these questions. Write an essay about what you learn and discuss it with a friend.
• This Wonder mentions that certain months are dedicated to honoring certain cultures and gives some examples, do you have a specific month that celebrates your heritage or just one that you identify with? Get a friend or family member to help you create a poster with colorful drawings and interesting facts about that month.
• You may not know much about your own heritage or have just started thinking about it. How do you get started learning about your own heritage? Check out this article about ways to get started exploring your own heritage and share what you learned with a friend or family member.

Wonder Sources

• https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/special-topics-art-history/arches-at-risk-cultural-heritage-education-series/arches-beginners-guide/a/what-is-cultural-heritage (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://www.sahistory.org.za/article/what-heritage (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://www.familysearch.org/blog/en/what-is-heritage/ (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://college.lclark.edu/student_life/multicultural_affairs/programs/heritage_months.php (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/ (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://www.heritagecouncil.ie/what-is-heritage (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)
• https://learnersdictionary.com/ (accessed 05 Aug. 2021)

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Wonder contributors.

We’d like to thank:

LaKeitha , Ethan and Meredith from TX for contributing questions about today’s Wonder topic!

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Question 1 of 3

Which of the following is NOT a form of intangible heritage, according to this Wonder?

• a a river Correct!
• b a dance Not Quite!
• c customs Not Quite!
• d a language Not Quite!

Question 2 of 3

This Wonder is mainly about. . .

• a which months of the year honor certain groups or cultures Not Quite!
• b the variety of dances important to Hispanic tradition Not Quite!
• c the different types heritage and the importance of learning about your own and others’ heritage Correct!
• d specific human-made objects that are recognized as culturally valuable to African American culture Not Quite!

Question 3 of 3

Hispanic American Heritage month, which is a celebration of culture and origin of Latinx and Hispanic Americans in the United States, occurs during which month?

• a February Not Quite!
• b September Correct!
• c November Not Quite!
• d May Not Quite!

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What Hispanic Heritage Month means to me

Since 1988, each fall from September 15 to October 15, the United States has celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month . This month-long observation coincides with the anniversaries of independence of several Central and South American nations. It’s a time for people to reflect upon the vibrant historical, cultural, social and societal influence of Hispanic and Latinx people within the U.S. and throughout the world.

At EF Academy New York , we celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of activities. Through poetry readings, dance lessons, assemblies and more, we learned from Hispanic and Latinx people within our community about their heritage and the places they call home. Below, a few students share their perspectives on the question: “What does Hispanic Heritage Month mean to you?” Read on to learn more about why this celebration is so important.

María, Nai and Chantal (left to right)

“ Our culture is something we should be proud about ” – María, Mexico and Cuba

“I think Hispanic Heritage Month is a time of the year when we can reflect about how our cultures have influenced and shaped other cultures and places. There’s so much that Hispanic and Latinx people do here – and everywhere – that is not recognized or valued as much as other cultures or people groups. Often, we are not as highlighted as other ethnic influences in America. This is a time of year that we can recognize that, and reflect on the fact that our culture is something we should be proud about.”

“ We’re so much more than our stereotypes ” – Chantal, Mexico

“To me, Hispanic Heritage Month means celebrating all Hispanics outside of their countries and recognizing that many Hispanic people do jobs that no one wants to do, like housekeeping or gardening. I think we should be better at recognizing this hard work and celebrating and embracing the fact that as Hispanic and Latinx people contribute so much to our societies. Sometimes we may sound funny with our accents and jokes but there’s so much more to us than these stereotypes!”

“ We are here, we are everywhere ” – Nai, Argentina

“I also believe that in the U.S. there are many stereotypes in movies and TV shows. Often, Latinx people and Hispanics are portrayed as the funny character with a silly accent. As Chantal says we are much more than that. We are all people at the end of the day. I think this month is important to show that Hispanic and Latinx people can be anything – including funny, of course – independent of our ethnicity or nationality.

“I think Hispanic Heritage Month is important because it really validates us and our existence in the world. It’s basically saying ‘we are here, we are everywhere’. There are a lot of Hispanic and Latinx people all over the world. I think we have to understand that there are so many ethnicities that make up every place and community, and that’s what makes societies unique. Celebrating Hispanic heritage, and dedicating time to recognize other ethnicities and cultures reminds us that we are all together in this world.”

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News - A Student Reflection on Hispanic Heritage Month

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month we asked Carlos Rosario School student Leticia, who served as one of this year’s festival emcees to share her thoughts on being a Latina and a part of the celebration. Read her essay below.

My name is Leticia Negrón and I am proud to be Latina. Our Hispanic heritage is full of great culture and foods, and our language is one of the richest. Personally, I have Boricua blood running through my veins, that is from Puerto Rico, which has the influence of Africa, Spain and Taínos. I was raised in Panama with African and Indigenous influences, and part of the Colombian culture. We Latinos are happy, hard-working, winners. We never let anyone put us down because we are all rich in culture, traditions, talents and contributions. We have contributed to this country as well as many European countries.

The Hispanic Heritage Festival is important to us because it recognizes our contributions to this country. It means honoring our vast culture, sharing it with all so that they may know that Hispanic people are rich in culture, food and history; that our history has contributed and will continue to contribute and influence food, arts and politics.

I am always thankful to this great country because it has allowed me to grow and has received well what I contribute. Today I feel more complete as a person because what  I have learned from this country and its people has made me a better person, and makes me feel proud of my origins, of my first history.

Personally, being able to showcase the culture, the dancing, and the food of each of our countries fills me with pride. For me, it was a privilege to be the master of ceremonies for the Hispanic Heritage Festival; it was exciting and gratifying. I was very impressed by the talent and passion of the students who danced; it was very exciting to see their performance so full of emotion. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of this celebration.