What to Know About Hispanic Heritage Month, Running Now Through Oct. 15

National Hispanic Heritage Month — celebrated Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 — is a time to celebrate “the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America,” according to the official website government.

Here’s everything you need to know about the rich and varied month-long celebration.

Why is Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15?

A Mariachi singer performs as part of Hispanic Heritage Month before a baseball game in Boston on September 19, 2021. Billie Weiss/Boston Red Sox/Getty

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated on September 15 because it is the day that marks the independence of several Latin American countries. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate their independence from Spain on September 15. Additionally, Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16th, Chile on September 18th and Belize on September 21st.

Another significant date during Hispanic Heritage Month is Día de la Raza (“Day of the Race”) — also known as Indigenous Peoples Day — which Mexico and other countries observe on October 12.

Which countries are included in the celebrations?

Los Angeles City Hall lit up in the colors of the Mexican flag during the first night of Hispanic Heritage Month on September 15, 2021. David McNew/Getty

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanic Heritage Month honors and celebrates those “who have roots in Spain, Mexico, and Spanish-speaking Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.”

This means that the month-long celebration includes Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela .

When did the US first begin recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month?

Dancers march down Fifth Avenue during the 55th Hispanic Parade in New York on October 13, 2019. Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty

California Congressman George E. Brown was the first to propose the idea to Congress in 1968. In September 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed Hispanic Heritage Week, which was subsequently extended to a month by President Ronald Reagan in August 1988.

In September 1989, President George HW Bush was the first president to declare that September 15 through October 15 would be Hispanic Heritage Month, saying, “Nurtured by their rich ethnic heritage and inspired by their faith in the principles on which this country was founded established, Hispanics have continued to make their mark across the country and in nearly every aspect of American life.”

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What is the 2024 theme for Hispanic Heritage Month?

Performers march during the 55th Hispanic Day Parade in New York on October 13, 2019. Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty

This year, the theme of Hispanic Heritage Month is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” According to the National Hispanic Employment Council program, “The theme encapsulates the spirit of innovation, resilience and unity that define the Hispanic experience.”

How to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Children of the music group Morenada Bolivia USA perform in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at the National Zoo in Washington, DC on September 16, 2012. Craig Hudson/For The Washington Post via Getty

Hispanic Heritage Month is about learning about and celebrating the rich and diverse culture that comes from many Spanish-speaking countries and territories. Here are some ideas to celebrate:

• Support Hispanic-owned small businesses. Instead of shopping at large corporations, explore Latino-owned boutiques, coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, and other small businesses. If you’re looking for opportunities in your area, the directory directory on Internationalist will do the work for you.
• Take a dance class. Dance is a big part of Latin American culture, with many countries specializing in different types of dance. From merengue to bachata, the possibilities are endless! Grab a friend, choose a type of dance and get those feet moving.
• Learn to cook a Latin American dish. Choose a country, find its national dish and try it!
• Support Hispanic artists and art. Whether you’re reading a book by a Hispanic author, listening to music by a Hispanic artist, buying physical media from an artist you admire, or picking up a TV show that highlights Hispanic culture, Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to support your favorite Hispanic artists or support up-and-coming ones.
• Educate yourself. Gain a deeper understanding of the different histories and cultures within the Hispanic diaspora by reading non-fiction books, visiting Hispanic museums and exhibits, attending cultural events, learning Spanish, and listening to people from different Hispanic backgrounds.

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Source: HIS Education