Hispanic Heritage Month

One of the most asked questions about Hispanic Heritage Month is, “Why does it start in
the middle of September?” The reason is that several countries in Central America
celebrate gaining their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. These include
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico gained
its independence on September 16, 1810. Chile celebrates the beginning of its fight for
independence on September 18, 1810, calling the official holiday “dieciocho,” the Spanish
word for “eighteen,” although they would not gain full independence for another eight years.

Each of the aforementioned countries has their unique traditions for celebrating
independence. The commemoration of Hispanic Heritage Month began in the United
States in 1968. President Lyndon B. Johnson issued a proclamation declaring National
Hispanic Heritage Week. He wrote:

“The people of Hispanic descent are the heirs of missionaries, captains, soldiers, and farmers who were motivated by a young spirit of adventure, and a desire to settle freely in a free land. This heritage is ours.”

He called upon the people of the United States, particularly those in the educational
community, to observe the week with “appropriate ceremonies and activities.” In 1988,
President Ronald Reagan expanded the commemoration to a full month, and this was later
drafted into law.

Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultures heritages of those
with ancestries in Central America and beyond. Those cultures carry deep indigenous
roots, as well as the influences of the Europeans who colonized them and the enslaved
people brought to the American continents. This complex mix has led to foods, music, art,
fashion, and traditions that have excited the world.

Together for Youth Bilingual Talent Acquisition Specialist Amberstorm Carrington said, “For me, Hispanic Heritage Month is important because it is not only the recognition, but is the celebration of the unique beauty that is one’s culture. Hispanic Heritage is a shared community irrespective of the specific nation one might come from. Our culture is unique because it integrates many aspects of every culture—from the food to the dress, to the language. It is, at its core, the ultimate mixture–the essence of the cultivation of the lives, experiences and beauty from every color, race and origin. Hispanic Heritage was born from a long line of interconnected people with rich and striking history—in both beautiful and terrible ways and this month serves to remember what went wrong and to continue to heal, but it is also a reminder to commemorate the aftermath of what was born and appreciate the beauty within it.”

The theme for Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” The month provides an opportunity for learning about the many and varied contributions people of Hispanic heritage of have made in their chosen fields. By examining even a few examples, from Nobel Prize Laureat Dr. Severo Ochoa who helped break the human genetic code, to human and labor rights advocate Dolores Huerta, to EGOT winner Rita Moreno, to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, it is easy to see that people of Hispanic heritage have broad reaching impact across our society. 

To learn more about the history and present-day contributions of Hispanic Americans, be sure to check out the following resources: 

The Library of Congress: National Hispanic Heritage Month – This website was developed as a resource for teachers and includes access to the National Museum of the American Latino, the Smithsonian, the National Archives, and many more. 

Ten Great TED Talks by Hispanic and Latinx Speakers – A collection of talks on a variety of subjects, featuring such well known speakers as author Isabel Allende, Chef Jose Andres and actress America Ferrera. 

PBS Honors Hispanic Heritage Month – The network is offering a variety of shows, including kids’ programming, dramas, documentaries, and the 37th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards. Streaming options are also available.