What Is Hispanic Heritage Month?
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Just as there are months celebrating and advocating for LGBTQ+ people, Black people, disabled people and people of AAPI heritage, there is also a month where the U.S. honors Hispanic people and their contributions. Hispanic Heritage Month is a time for people who identify as Hispanic and/or Latinx to celebrate their culture through events like community gatherings, art shows, volunteer events and more. Even if you're not Hispanic, there are still plenty of respectful ways to celebrate and learn about Hispanic Heritage Month's background.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is important because it highlights the work and the accomplishments of the Latino community, recently as well as throughout the years,” Brenda Camarillo, former Manager of Programs at the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, tells Woman's Day.
From exploring local museum exhibits to donating to scholarship funds for Hispanic students to cooking a Latin meal with your family, there are plenty of fun and meaningful ways to mark the occasion. There are also many ways to educate yourself and your family about Hispanic history and what it means to be Hispanic in the U.S. today, including books by Latinx authors, podcasts, and more.
Keep reading to learn more about the rich history of Hispanic Heritage Month, why it spans both September and October, and how you can celebrate it in 2023.
When is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place from September 15 through October 15. It begins on September 15 because of the fact that five Central American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua — celebrate their respective Independence Days on September 15, while Mexico celebrates it on September 16. When the U.S. established Hispanic Heritage Week (which later was expanded to Hispanic Heritage Month), it was decided that it should always take place on the week containing September 15 and 16 to honor these countries’ Independence Days.
What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the achievements and contributions that Hispanic Americans have made in the United States.
As of 2022, Hispanic and Latino Americans make up nearly one-fifth of the US population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Hispanic Americans have been influential in every part of this nation's history, from arts to politics to business to the military.
How did Hispanic Heritage Month begin?
In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation to establish Hispanic Heritage Week. In the proclamation, 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.”
Congress requested that the president issue an annual proclamation designating the week of September 15 and 16 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. After President Johnson, Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan also issued annual proclamations to designate the week containing September 15 and 16 as National Hispanic Heritage Week.
In 1988, Congress passed legislation to amend the original resolution and establish an entire month in honor of Hispanic heritage, leaders, and culture. President George H.W. Bush issued a presidential proclamation the following year to establish National Hispanic Heritage Month. Since then, Presidents George H.W. Bush, President Clinton, President George W. Bush, President Obama, President Trump, and President Biden have issued yearly proclamations in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Who celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month?
Though Hispanic Heritage Month honors people who are of Hispanic and/or Latinx backgrounds, everyone can still celebrate and observe the month. “Anything that relates to the Hispanic culture or heritage in a respectful way is an appropriate way to celebrate,” Camarillo says.
Attending cultural events, shopping at Hispanic-owned businesses, or finding other ways to learn more about and celebrate Hispanic culture are just a few ways to actively do so.
How can you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in 2023?
There are many ways you can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month this year. Here are some ideas to get you started, though it's also worth turning to local organizations in your community to see what they're doing to celebrate.
Support Hispanic-owned businesses
Take part in any programs or activities happening in your local community, like Hispanic Heritage festivals, exhibits at local art or history museums, restaurant events, and educational panels
Donate to organizations benefitting Hispanic and Latinx populations. A few options to consider might be the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Latino Victory, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice or an organization based in your area or state
Take part in Hispanic Heritage Month events happening online
Virtually visit important Hispanic sites like the Teotihuacan Pyramid in Mexico or Machu Picchu in Peru
Cook recipes from Hispanic countries, using ingredients from Hispanic grocery stores if you have one near you
Listen to music from Hispanic countries
Volunteer with organizations in your community led by and for the benefit of Hispanic people
Ask your workplace about setting up an event to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, perhaps by inviting Latinx leaders to speak about their career journey or by working to set up Hispanic and Latino recruitment pipelines
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