National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15, and honors the cultures, histories and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and parts of the Caribbean. It’s a time to celebrate the many traditions of Latin America, while honoring those who have contributed to the United States through the work they do in business, art, culture and more.
It’s a diverse group, which is why the Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations are so vibrant and varied. There are many ways to connect with and celebrate the cultures of our fellow citizens from across Latin America, from the tequila shots at a mariachi bar in Texas to a block party in Los Angeles celebrating Dia de los Muertos, which is a national holiday in Puerto Rico.
Whether you’re celebrating with food, music, history or art, these Hispanic Heritage Month activities and resources will help you learn about your neighbors, coworkers and classmates while promoting respect for diversity and inclusion.
For generations, Hispanic Heritage has been a major part of American life. In fact, the nation’s first Hispanic Heritage Week was in 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed it as a way to recognize the contributions of Latinos in all areas of the economy and society. He included the dates of September 15 and 16 because they mark the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua (September 15) and Mexico (October 1).
Over the years, though, it’s been tricky to figure out exactly how to describe the people who fall into this umbrella category. In the 1930s, for instance, when door-to-door census takers asked about their ethnicity, they recorded all Hispanics as Mexican. By 1970, when the U.S. Census began asking more specific questions about origin, Hispanics could choose “Mexican,” “Puerto Rican,” “Cuban,” or “Central or South American” as their identities.
Today, it’s more common to see Hispanic people use the terms Latina, Latino or Latinx to describe themselves. These words reflect the diverse backgrounds and experiences of a population that stretches from present-day Southwestern states to every country in South America and nearly all of the islands in between, according to the Pew Research Center.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a perfect opportunity to teach young kids about the history of these families, says educator and author Henry Garcia. He has been a teacher for more than 20 years and specializes in integrating Spanish into elementary school curriculums. He has seen how his students grow with the language, and he believes Hispanic Heritage Month is the best time of year to expose young children to these cultures and traditions.