Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th each year in the United States. This month-long observance honors the contributions and cultural heritage of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the country.

The celebration began as a week-long event in 1968, initiated by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was expanded to a month-long celebration by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The month of September was chosen as it marks the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile.

In addition, National Hispanic Heritage Month serves as an opportunity to recognize the rich history, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the social, political, economic, and cultural fabric of the United States. It also provides a platform for celebrating the diversity within the Hispanic community, which includes individuals with roots in various Spanish-speaking countries around the world.

 

Click here to view some Latin American pioneers.