Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration of the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Observed from September 15th to October 15th every year, it represents an opportunity for all of us to learn more about the rich and diverse cultures and traditions of Hispanic Americans. This month-long celebration has a fascinating history of its own, which is worth exploring. From its origins as a week-long commemoration to its current status as a federally recognized observance, Hispanic Heritage Month has come a long way over the years.
The Origin and Evolution of Hispanic Heritage Month
The celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month began as a commemorative week in June of 1968, introduced by California Congressman George E. Brown. This was a time when the civil rights movement was at its peak, and America was becoming more aware of its multicultural identities. Brown wanted to recognize the contributions of the Hispanic community throughout American history, particularly those residing in East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley.
On September 17, 1968, Congress authorized Public Law 90-48, requesting the president to issue annual proclamations declaring September 15 and 16 the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Week. President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first Hispanic Heritage Week presidential proclamation on the same day, and from 1968 until 1988, Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan all issued yearly proclamations.
In 1987, U.S. Representative Esteban E. Torres of California proposed expanding the observance to cover its current 31-day period. Torres believed it was necessary to have more time to "properly observe and coordinate events and activities to celebrate Hispanic culture and achievement." Senator Paul Simon of Illinois submitted a similar bill, which was successfully passed and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on August 17, 1988.
On September 14, 1989, President George H.W. Bush, who was a sponsor of the original Hispanic Heritage Week resolution in 1968, became the first president to declare the 31-day period from September 15 to October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. Since then, every sitting president of the United States has made proclamations for National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The timing of Hispanic Heritage Month coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of several Latin American nations:
- Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica on September 15
- Mexico on September 16
- Chile on September 18
- Belize on September 21
- “Dia de la Raza” on October 12
Understanding the Differences Between Hispanic & Latino Identities
Although the terms Hispanic and Latino are sometimes used interchangeably, they actually have distinct meanings. Hispanic typically refers to individuals with a background in a Spanish-speaking country, whereas Latino is commonly used to describe those from Latin America. It's important to note that these identities can be claimed by anyone, regardless of their background.
To use these terms correctly, it's necessary to comprehend their nuances and the appropriate contexts for each. Familiarizing yourself with the origins of the Hispanic and Latino labels, their implications and usage, and how people identify themselves can help you gain that understanding. Above all, when referring to someone, it's essential to respect their preference regarding which term they prefer to be called.
Hispanic refers to people who speak Spanish or who have a background in a Spanish-speaking country. In other words, Hispanic refers to the language that a person speaks or that their ancestors spoke. Some Hispanic people speak Spanish, but others don't.
Latino refers to geography: specifically, people from Latin America including Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Like being Hispanic, being Latino says nothing about your race; Latinos may be White, Black, Indigenous, Asian, etc.
Note: Latinx is a label that has emerged as an LGBTQ+ and gender-inclusive alternative to Latino and Hispanic.
How Educators Can Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
- Select songs from various Hispanic cultures. Encourage students to create and present artist bios, instrument physics and construction explanations, or genre history presentations.
- Create a class playlist consisting of songs from different cultures and artists. Let students search and vote for the songs they want to include. A basic Google or Spotify search such as “traditional Cuban songs” or “Mexican pop hits 2023” can be used to begin.
- Compare and contrast art pieces and artists from different epochs, styles, and media. Then recreate works in the styles of art pieces discovered.
- Explore the lives of artists and write modern-day social media threads or entertainment pieces on interesting historical characters.
- Translate and act out a skit or scene from a play written in another language. If necessary, use people from your learning community to help translate, or an online translator.
- Find and interview someone from the Hispanic community about their family's journey from their Hispanic country of origin to where they are now. If you don't know anyone, conduct a mock interview with a little-known historical figure, or leverage email and social media.
- Explore books and poetry of authors from Latino communities. Discuss what experiences your students have in common with the protagonist and what experiences, if any, are unique to the culture. Ensure that your class and campus libraries include some of these selections.
- Write bios on great authors from diverse Latin American communities. Compare the popularity of, for example, Shakespeare and Austen to the fame of authors that you discover. Discuss the disparity in prominence and possible reasons for that disparity.
- Research traditions surrounding national holidays for diverse Latin American countries and what is being celebrated. Make paper or digital gallery walks of the findings. Bonus points if these gallery walks are school-wide or open to the community.
- Make or bring in dishes that represent diverse Hispanic cultures to share in class or at a school festival. Use Google to find recipes but be sure to Google “Cuban (or Mexican, Salvadoran, etc.) food" as there is no such thing as “Hispanic food."
Fast Facts
- 1 in 5 People in the United States Identifies as Hispanic.
- Approximately 6% or 347,000 businesses in the United States were Hispanic-owned in 2019.
- About 62.6 million, the Hispanic population of the United States in 2021, made up about one out of five (18.9%) of the total population.
- Roughly 13% of all people 5 years and over speak Spanish in the United States.
- Hispanic Heritage Month embraces a new theme every year: 2023's winning theme is “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One”.
Hispanic Americans Making History
- Roberto Clemente, a native of Carolina Municipio, Puerto Rico, made a name for himself as a Major League Baseball player for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the first Hispanic American starter to win a World Series.
- Ellen Ochoa, born in Los Angeles, California, made history as the first Hispanic American woman astronaut to embark on a nine-day mission to space.
- Selena Quintanilla-Perez, hailing from Lake Jackson, Texas, is an American icon and highly regarded as one of the most celebrated Tejano singer/songwriters to this day.
- Sonia Sotomayor, born in Bronx County, New York, was a trailblazer and the first Hispanic American to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the rich history and contributions of Hispanic Americans. From art and music to science and politics, Hispanic Americans have made significant impacts on American society. It is a time to reflect on the struggles and triumphs of the past and present, and to recognize the diversity and cultural richness of the Hispanic community. So let us take this opportunity to honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by learning more about Hispanic culture, supporting Hispanic-owned businesses, and participating in community events. Together, we can continue to promote diversity, inclusion, and equality for all.
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