More than 65 million people in the United States identify as Hispanic, making them America’s second largest and one of its fastest-growing racial or ethnic minority groups. Those with Hispanic heritage can trace their ancestry to more than 20 countries in Latin America, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, is an annual celebration of the diverse culture, history and contributions of these Americans.
There are many different labels for this population, but the most common umbrella terms are Hispanic and Latino/a/e/o. While these terms engender a sense of community and shared history, it’s important to understand that they are not synonyms, and imposing a label on someone can be unhelpful. Ultimately, it’s best to ask someone how they prefer to be identified and to respect their response.
In the United States, there are approximately 3.2 million people of Puerto Rican origin, accounting for roughly 16% of the Hispanic population in 2022. There are also significant populations of Dominicans, Cubans and Salvadorans in the country, with around a million each. The rest of the Hispanic population is spread across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, with roughly 37 million Mexicans, 5.9 million Puerto Ricans, 3.2 million Colombians, and 1.4 million Venezuelans.
The NEH-funded documentary series Latino Americans (Open external link) chronicles the rich and varied histories of these communities, from the cultures of indigenous peoples to the arrival of European explorers and colonizers. The site features a video timeline, trailers from all episodes and a classroom resource guide.
Despite the fact that Hispanic heritage is deeply rooted in the soil of this country, it’s important to remember that much of the continent’s history is rife with conflict and oppression. The website History Matters (Open external link) offers a collection of articles that explore these events, from the 1810 Grito de Dolores that launched the battle for independence in Mexico to the 1968 uprising against dictatorship in Cuba. It’s a reminder of the importance of continuing to fight for social justice and the importance of recognizing Hispanic heritage and celebrating its legacy in America.