There’s no one-size-fits-all way to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which this year runs Sept. 15-Oct. 15. But some of the best ways to do so involve engaging with the cultures and traditions of Hispanic and Latino communities. “It’s important to honor their histories and contributions in the United States, but also to understand how they came to be,” says K. Sebastian Leon, associate professor of Latino and Caribbean studies and criminal justice at Rutgers University-New Brunswick.
During the celebration, people can immerse themselves in the music, arts, food and history of Hispanic culture. Among the many events is a quinceanera fashion show in Dallas, the New York Latino Film Festival and the Viva Tampa Bay Hispanic Heritage Festival. They can also reflect on the cultural, social and societal influence of Hispanic and Latino people in America.
Hispanic Heritage Month began as a weeklong commemoration in 1968, sponsored by Rep. Edward R. Roybal of California and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was extended to a month two decades later, with legislation sponsored by Rep. Esteban E. Torres and passed by Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan. The Sept. 15 starting date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the cry for independence in 1810 by a band of Mexican rebels, known as the Grito de Dolores. The celebration then shifts to Oct. 15, to coincide with Mexico’s national day and the South American country of Chile’s independence.
While the exact definitions of Hispanic and Latino vary, in general, the term Hispanic refers to someone whose ancestry comes from a Spanish-speaking country, while Latino is broader, including people whose ancestry is from any of the Latin American countries or the Caribbean. Some people choose to identify as both Hispanic and Latino, while others prefer one or the other. The choice depends on a person’s sense of identity, where they come from and what language they speak at home.
For example, a person whose ancestors are from the Mayan region of Mexico would probably consider themselves to be Latino, while a family who fought for the independence of Spain would likely choose to be Hispanic. In terms of national origin, the most common choice of Hispanics and Latinos is Mexican. In some metropolitan areas, it’s more common for the majority to identify as Mexican, but in other metro areas, it’s not the case.
Regardless of how people choose to define themselves, there is a common thread: the desire to honor their heritage and make sure it’s not forgotten. This desire is the heart of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which helps people in the U.S. to connect with the rich cultures of Hispanic and Latino communities and reflect on how they’ve shaped the nation. Whether they’re in the classroom or the boardroom, educators can help their students and colleagues celebrate the diversity of Hispanic and Latino cultures by incorporating some of these lessons into their curriculums.