National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month takes place in the United States annually from September 15 through October 15. It began in the 1960s as National Hispanic Heritage Week, a period of time set aside to celebrate the culture and accomplishments of Hispanic people in the United States. In 1988, that period was expanded to include a full month. The start date of September 15 was chosen to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of five prominent Hispanic nations.

Traditionally, the holiday has celebrated people who trace their ancestry to parts of South America, Central America, Spain, and the Caribbean. While members of the communities use the terms in different ways, most research organizations use Hispanic interchangeably with the term Latino, and the holiday is meant to represent Hispanic and Latino culture. Hispanic Americans are the second-largest racial or ethnic group in the United States, and can be found throughout the nation. By the early 2020s, the largest populations of Hispanic Americans could be found in California, Florida, and Texas.

During National Hispanic Heritage Month, many educators across the United States take the time to place additional emphasis on Hispanic culture. This may include teaching Spanish and other languages spoken in Hispanic nations, teaching the history of Hispanic people in the United States, or teaching about the issues currently faced by the nation’s Hispanic population.

Background

Hispanic Americans are an ethnic group traditionally composed of people who trace their ancestry back to Spain, the Caribbean, Central American nations, or various South American nations. These nations include, but are not limited to, Mexico, Cuba, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Brazil. The first major group of Hispanic Americans to become part of the United States were those living in the large portion of Mexico the United States annexed following the conclusion of the Mexican-American War.

Following the large-scale naturalization that occurred during America’s annexation of new territory, many Hispanic workers traveled across the border of the southern United States. They commonly found jobs as laborers, railroad workers, and farm workers. A significant number of these laborers were undocumented. By the 1930s, more than 1.5 million Hispanic individuals had settled in the United States. The largest communities were in California, Texas, and Arizona. During the 1950s and 1960s, the United States launched programs that legally brought numerous Mexican workers into the United States, while working to expel millions of undocumented Hispanic residents.

In the modern era, Hispanic people make up roughly 19 percent of the population of the United States. This includes approximately 63 million Hispanic American residents, according to the 2022 US Census. The number of Hispanic people in the United States has been steadily increasing for decades, with the largest populations in California, Florida, and Texas. The federal government tracks these populations through the official Census but does not require any qualifications for someone to identify as Hispanic. Instead, they simply ask on the Census whether a participant identifies as Hispanic.

Overview

During the civil rights movement of the 1960s, Hispanic activist communities began to organize. As mainstream American society began to recognize the harsh discrimination faced by Black Americans, it also began to recognize the similar discrimination faced by other people of color. To raise awareness and acceptance of America’s multicultural identity, in 1968 Congressman George E. Brown proposed the creation of a commemorative week that would praise the accomplishments and culture of the Hispanic American community.

At the time, Congressman Brown represented both East Los Angeles and portions of California’s San Gabriel Valley. Both areas were home to thriving Hispanic populations. Brown sought to ensure that the culture and achievements of his constituents were recognized by the American people. Congress passed Public Law 90-48. This authorized presidents to make annual proclamations declaring the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Week. The week would serve as an educational opportunity during which Americans could be taught about Hispanic culture. It was first declared by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968.

Congress chose September 15 and 16 for the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Week. Those days coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of several Hispanic nations: El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Mexico. Though National Hispanic Heritage Week was successful, many came to believe that one week was not enough time for Hispanic communities to celebrate their culture. To remedy this, Congress passed Public Law 100-402 in 1988. This law established National Hispanic Heritage Month, replacing the week-long observation.

National Hispanic Heritage Month lasts from September 15 until October 15, keeping the symbolically important starting date chosen for National Hispanic Heritage Week. President George H. W. Bush issued Presidential Proclamation 6021, beginning the first National Hispanic Heritage Month, on September 14, 1989. Since then, every subsequent American president has continued that tradition.

Since its inception, National Hispanic Heritage Month has been observed in many communities across the country. It is commonly used by educators as a period in which children are taught to appreciate Hispanic cultures. During this month, teachers often work in extra curriculum about the nation’s Hispanic population and the nations from which Hispanic people draw their ancestry. They may also place a special emphasis on Spanish and other languages spoken in those countries, or the history of those peoples. Additionally, the period highlights Hispanic Americans' continued influence on and contributions to various sectors of society, from entertainment to business and sports.

The month has also become a time in which Hispanic people work to raise awareness of many of the issues that face their community. For example, many Hispanic people face discrimination based upon stereotypes, including associations with undocumented workers. Additionally, documented Hispanic immigrants are often the subject of bigotry or anti-immigrant behaviors.

Bibliography

Figueroa, Fernanda. "Hispanic Heritage Month Puts Diversity and Culture at the Forefront." AP, 15 Sept. 2024, apnews.com/article/hispanic-heritage-month-2024-meaning-events-52892750ddba933402be7b38c1164dc5. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

“Hispanic Heritage Month.” National Education Association, 11 Sept. 2024, www.nea.org/resource-library/hispanic-heritage-month. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

"Hispanic Heritage Month." National Museum of the American Latino, Smithsonian, latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources/hispanic-heritage-month. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

Krogstad, Jens Manuel, et al. "Key Facts about U.S. Latinos for National Hispanic Heritage Month." Pew Research Center, 22 Sept. 2023, www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/09/22/key-facts-about-us-latinos-for-national-hispanic-heritage-month/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

“National Hispanic Heritage Month.” White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics, sites.ed.gov/hispanic-initiative/national-hispanic-heritage-month/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.

“National Hispanic Heritage Month: Ideas for Educators.” Anti-Defamation League, 31 May 2024, www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/national-hispanic-heritage-month-ideas-for-teachers. Accessed 3 Oct. 2024.