What Is Hispanic Heritage Month, and How Is It Celebrated?

Many aspects of Hispanic culture are worth celebrating year-round. However, Hispanic Heritage Month is an entire month of the year dedicated to the rich history of Hispanic and Latino culture. If you’re not familiar with this celebration, you might have wondered what is Hispanic Heritage Month and how is it celebrated? 

Since the late 1980s, Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States once a year. This special month is a time to celebrate the unique history and traditions of Hispanic and Latino culture. Considering there are over 60 million Latino individuals in the United States, this is a significant month for many people.

For those who are Hispanic or Latino, it’s an opportunity to celebrate their own culture. For those who identify with different ethnicities, it’s an opportunity to learn more about the culture of many Americans and other individuals across the world. Keep reading to find out more about Hispanic Heritage Month and ways you can celebrate with your family.

What Is Hispanic Heritage Month?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the history, culture, and traditions of Hispanic and Latino communities. In the United States, the Hispanic population makes up nearly 20% of the overall population. As of 2022, there were 63.6 million Hispanic individuals in the US, which is over 10 million more than there were in 2010.

Those who grew up in Hispanic families know there are many unique traditions and cultural aspects of their ethnicity. While Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to spread awareness about these cultural practices and traditions, it’s also an opportunity for Hispanic and Latino individuals to further connect with their roots.

Additionally, this month of celebration is intended to celebrate the many contributions Hispanic and Latino individuals have made to the culture and communities of the United States. From professional sports to arts and music, there's no doubt that Hispanic culture has had a significant influence on American culture.

When Does Hispanic Heritage Month Start?

Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration dedicated to celebrating the beauty of Hispanic and Latino culture. This celebration takes place between September 15 and October 15 each year.

Hispanic Heritage Month actually began as a week-long celebration known as Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, it was then expanded to a month-long celebration by President Ronald Reagan.

Instead of taking place over one month, Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15. This was intentional to coincide with the dates of the independence days of many countries. For example, the Independence Day of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua is on September 15. Mexico and Chile also have their independence day later in September.

Why Do We Celebrate It?

Not only is the Hispanic population the largest racial or ethnic group in the United States, but it’s also the fastest-growing group. According to data from the US Census, there are over 60 million people in the country who identify as Hispanic.

While the Latino or Hispanic communities in other countries are celebrating their independence in September, Hispanic Heritage Month gives Hispanic Americans a chance to celebrate their culture as well.

This month-long celebration is not only an opportunity for Hispanic Americans to celebrate their traditions but it’s also a way for non-Hispanic individuals to learn about Hispanic culture. Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans in the United States as well.

What's the Origin of Hispanic Heritage Month?

When President Lyndon B. Johnson was in office, he was the first to start Hispanic Heritage Week. This celebration, which began in 1968, later became a month-long celebration. When President Ronald Reagan was in office, he expanded Hispanic Heritage Week to an entire month in 1988.

Hispanic Heritage Month was dedicated to the richness of the Hispanic and Latino cultures represented in the United States. People have celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 every year since then.

What's the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino?

When discussing the origins of Hispanic Heritage Month, many people wonder about the difference between Hispanic and Latino communities. Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates both communities and many people use the terms interchangeably. However, they don’t actually have the same meaning.

Generally, the term Hispanic refers to those who descend from Spain or other countries where Spanish is the predominant language. The term Latino, on the other hand, describes individuals from Latin America or Caribbean countries. Latino is usually a broader term that encompasses many different ethnicities, even those that don’t speak Spanish.

How to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Whether you’re Hispanic or Latino or you’re just looking for a way to celebrate these communities, there are many ways to participate in the celebrations. Here are some ways for you to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your family:

• Find a local event
  There may be local events for Hispanic Heritage Month depending on where you live. If there is a large Hispanic or Latino population in your community, there may be parades, festivals, and other events nearby.
• Cook your favorite Hispanic or Latino food
  What better way to celebrate the many aspects of Hispanic and Latino culture than cooking a favorite dish? Even if you’re not Hispanic or Latino, you can learn more about these cultures by exploring some of their traditional meals or even eating out at a family-owned restaurant in your area that serves these foods.
• Make a craft
  If you have younger kids, one of the best ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month is with a craft. You could try something as simple as making a collage of flags from different countries or try a craft unique to your family’s ethnicity.
• Watch a film together
  Another way to celebrate this month is by watching a film that features a favorite Hispanic actor or director. You can also choose something educational such as a documentary that teaches you about Hispanic or Latino culture. Additionally, PBS Kids has a series for Hispanic Heritage Month. Watching this series is a great way for kids to learn about the history and traditions of Hispanic and Latino culture.
• Support Hispanic or Latino-owned businesses in your community
  Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans. One way to celebrate these contributions is to give back to the Hispanic community. You can do this by supporting Hispanic or Latino-owned businesses in your area. During the month, pick a few small businesses in your area to shop at instead of larger stores or restaurants.

While this list is not exhaustive, these are great ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with kids of all ages. Whether you’re Hispanic or Latino yourself and want to teach your kids about your culture or you simply want your kids to learn about the many unique cultures of other Americans, you can make your celebrations both fun and educational.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Final Thoughts

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place every year from September 15 to October 15. During this month-long celebration, there are many events happening across the country. These events are an exciting way to celebrate the history and tradition of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Even if you don’t have any events near you, there are many simple ways to celebrate at home with your family.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©DyrElena/Shutterstock.com.