When you see a Hispanic Heritage Month event in your neighborhood, or in your school, or on a national museum’s website, it’s important to know that hispanic heritage encompasses many cultures and identities. It can be difficult to define one descriptor that captures people from a vast geography of 22 nations and territories, from present-day Southwestern states to the southern tip of South America. That’s why you’ll often hear the terms Latina and Latino — and their non-gendered versions, Latine and Latinx — used to refer to people with a wide variety of backgrounds.
Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson as a week, and in 1988, President Ronald Reagan extended the observance to a month. The current Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and ends on October 15, a 30-day period that aligns with the celebration of the national independence days of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Nicaragua on Sept. 15, Mexico on the 16th and Chile on the 18th. You can find the public laws that establish these dates at the United States Statutes at Large, which are available at any federal library.
The observance is an opportunity to learn about the history and culture of communities that have greatly impacted and enriched the country. And it is a chance to honor the contributions of the generations of Hispanics and their descendants that have made a significant impact on American history.
Hispanics are the fastest growing population in the United States, and they contribute billions of dollars to the nation’s economy. But they still face racial and economic inequities, including housing insecurity and lower incomes than their non-Hispanic white peers. The Hispanic Heritage Month observance also offers an important opportunity for educators to make sure the community’s rich traditions are reflected in classrooms and other learning spaces.
One of the most famous Hispanic Americans was the artist Frida Kahlo, who influenced generations through her art and activism. She was a feminist icon, unapologetic in her personal choices and in the way she portrayed women’s bodies. Her legacy continues to inspire and empower young people, a theme that can be embraced during the month of recognition.
The Hispanic Heritage Initiative partners with museums, libraries and other institutions across the country to provide a variety of in-person and virtual events that showcase the many facets of the community and its diverse histories. This includes highlighting a range of topics from the arts, sciences and social justice to education, health and civic engagement.
The Initiative also has a wealth of online resources to help educators incorporate Hispanic Heritage Month and the legacy of the community into their teaching and learning. The Smithsonian, for example, has a collection of resources and an educational toolkit that can be used to teach students about the role of Latino patriots in military history.