Hispanic heritage is the cultural, social and economic contributions that Spanish-speaking people have made in the United States. While many Americans think of the term as referring to only Mexicans, there are actually over 60 million Hispanics in the country. In addition to the United States, Hispanics come from Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica, Peru, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and other Latin American countries.
Hispanics are a diverse group, with different languages, traditions and cultures. It is important to recognize and honor their contributions to the world, whether that is through a celebration or a charitable donation.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated throughout the United States from September 15 to October 15. This celebration is a time to appreciate the diverse cultures and histories of the American Hispanic community.
The Hispanic community is the largest minority group in the United States, with more than 58.9 million Hispanics in the United States in 2017. The term Hispanic is often used interchangeably with Latino, but both are different terms that have specific meanings in the United States.
It’s important for HR professionals to be able to understand and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the right way, so that they can make sure their employees feel included and respected at work. If they don’t, it could cause employees to be less happy with their jobs and could have a negative impact on your company culture.
Besides celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month on a local level, organizations in the United States should take note of what’s happening internationally and how they can help support Hispanic communities abroad. Several countries in the Latin America region, including Chile and Argentina, are hosting special events to celebrate Hispanic heritage.
In the United States, there are numerous Hispanic-related museums and organizations. These include the Library of Congress, the National Museum of the American Latino and the Smithsonian Institution.
The Library of Congress hosts a number of Hispanic-related programs and events, including a Latino Heritage Family Day and Concert. The museum also hosts a Hispanic Heritage Artifact Showcase that asks individuals to share parts of their Hispanic or Latinx heritage through visual art, writing and music.
Other Hispanic-related organizations in the United States are also worth checking out, such as the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, the Dolores Huerta Foundation and Voto Latino. They advocate for Hispanic workers and work to educate voters about their issues.
A new Hispanic-related exhibit is opening at the Smithsonian Institute in 2020 called the National Museum of the American Latino. This museum will be a significant new resource for teaching people about the Hispanic and Latino experiences in the United States.
There are a few Hispanic-related organizations in the Pittsburgh area that have developed programs to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. The University of Pittsburgh is collaborating with community members and local partners to develop a calendar of events in September that fall within four core principles: cultural, educational, social, and advocacy.