September marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month. Starting on September 15th, National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates and recognizes the history, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States. Although the celebration begins in September, it does not end this month; the celebration takes place from September 15th to October 15th. During this time, schools, communities, museums, and organizations across the country gather to highlight and recognize Hispanic and Latino heritage!

The reason the celebration begins on September 15 is connected to the history of Latin America. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for several Central American countries, like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Their independence from Spanish rule is an important part of the history represented during Hispanic Heritage Month. Mexico also celebrates its independence during this period, on September 16, followed by Chile on September 18th. So, because several countries celebrate important national holidays in September, the date became a meaningful starting point for the month-long celebration. 

Hispanic Heritage Month has its roots in the United States during the 1960s. In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation creating Hispanic Heritage Week. At the time, the celebration was just one week. However, twenty years later, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed legislation expanding the observance to a full month. Then, it was officially Hispanic Heritage Month!

The month is important because Hispanic and Latino heritage includes a wide variety of cultures, languages, traditions, and histories. The term “Hispanic” generally relates to people connected to Spanish-speaking countries or cultures, while “Latino” can refer more broadly to people with roots in Latin America.These communities are not all the same. Their histories can include Indigenous, African, European, and many other cultural influences. As a result, Hispanic Heritage Month represents a large and diverse collection of experiences rather than one single culture.

Another important part of the celebration is recognizing the contributions Hispanic and Latino Americans have made to the United States. These contributions can be found in almost every part of American society, including science, education, government, law, business, sports, music, art, literature, and the military. The National Hispanic American Heritage Month website, supported by major federal cultural institutions, highlights examples of Latino contributions through exhibits, historical documents, educational resources, and stories of individual achievements.

Hispanic Heritage Month also provides an opportunity to learn about individuals whose stories may not always receive as much attention in traditional history lessons. For example, the National Archives has highlighted Sylvia Mendez and her family’s fight against school segregation. Their lawsuit challenged the separation of Mexican American children into different schools and became an important part of the history of civil rights in the United States. Stories like this demonstrate that Hispanic American history is also an important part of American history as a whole.

Culture is another major part of the month. Food, music, dance, language, art, literature, celebrations, and family traditions can all help people understand the diversity of Hispanic and Latino communities. For example, the Smithsonian has featured Mexican American lowriding culture as an example of artistic expression, technological creativity, storytelling, and cultural identity. These traditions show how communities can preserve their history while also creating new forms of cultural expression.

Ultimately, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to learn about the people, histories, and cultures that have helped shape the United States! September 15 is significant because it connects the celebration to the independence of several Latin American nations, but the month also encourages Americans to recognize the diversity within Hispanic and Latino communities. Will you do anything to celebrate?