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Hispanic Heritage Month has officially kicked off as of last Friday, September 15th. The month-long celebration will continue through to October 15th. The month is dedicated to celebrating and honoring those in the United States who are members of the Latinx and Hispanic communities. We recognize the history and culture of these communities as well as celebrate several Independence Days in the month!
The terms Hispanic and Latinx refer to culture and origin, not race contrary to popular belief.
On Census forms, you are considered Hispanic or Latinx if you have Mexican, Chicanx, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or any other Hispanic, Latinx, or Spanish origins. People who identify with any of the above are who are celebrated with Hispanic Heritage Month.
The time of honoring was first proposed by George E. Brown, a Congressman from California. He served as a House Representative from 1963 to 1971 covering a district spanning East Los Angeles and much of the San Gabriel Valley. Much of the community he represented was Hispanic and Latinx. In 1968 he proposed a commemorative week meant to celebrate these communities and all they have done in American history. The week was signed into law by Congress on September 17, 1968. It would start each year based on September 15th and 16th. With the week, people especially teachers were encouraged to participate in activities and ceremonies meant to celebrate the Hispanic and Latinx communities.
The week of the 15th and 16th of September was chosen for the commemorative week due to several Independence Days falling on that week.
Five Latin American countries declared independence from Spain on September 15, 1821, and Mexico declared it on September 16, 1810. The five countries that declared together are Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Many other Latin American countries have since started celebrating their independence during this time. For example, Chile celebrates its independence from Spain on September 18th and Belize celebrates theirs from Great Britain on September 21st.
In 1987, a House Representative from California, Esteban E. Torres, proposed expanding the week to a full month. Again in 1988, the expansion was proposed by a Senator from Illinois, Paul Simon. This bill was ultimately passed by Congress and signed by President Ronald Reagan that same year. President George H.W. Bush was the first president to declare September 15 to October 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month.
