National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed yearly in the United States to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans on American history, culture, and achievements. Festivals and educational activities are held in communities to celebrate the accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
1. What is the Date of National Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month began as a way to showcase the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic-Americans — specifically, those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America — during the latter half of September and the first half of October. The 15th of September is notable because it marks the independence anniversary of Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Furthermore, Mexico and Chile each have independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also included in this 30-day span is Columbus Day, also known as Da de la Raza, which is celebrated on October 12.
2. National Hispanic Heritage Month History
Hispanic Heritage Month evolved from Hispanic Heritage Week. Hispanic Week was formed in 1968 as a result of legislation sponsored by Rep. Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. In 1988, legislation presented by Rep. Esteban Edward Torres (D-Pico Rivera), revised by Senator Paul Simon, and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan extended the commemoration week to a month (September 15 to October 15). The date of September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the commemoration since it is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores (early morning, 16 September 1810), which marked the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence and, as a result, the New Spain Colonies independence (in 1821). (now Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua).
On September 15, September 16, and September 18, Mexico, most Central American countries, and Chile celebrate their independence from Spain, respectively.
President Lyndon B. Johnson established Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 with Presidential Proclamation 3869. Between 1969 until 1988, Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan issued annual proclamations commemorating Hispanic Heritage Week. President George H. W. Bush established National Hispanic Heritage Month in Presidential Proclamation 6021 on September 14, 1989. Since 1989, every President has issued a Presidential Proclamation to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month.
3. National Hispanic Heritage Month Activities
Plan a party
Plan a fiesta complete with delicious food, mariachi music, and sombreros for everybody!
Involve the children in the beautiful arts.
Enlighten youthful minds by introducing them to Hispanic arts. Frida Kahlo's paintings are a great place to start!
Begin learning Spanish
We've all studied a little bit in school, so why not go the distance? Who knows where that will lead you?
Read well-known Latinx novels
Reading award-winning works by Latinx authors will transport you to another universe. The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Daz, One Hundred Years of Solitude by Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez, and I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sanchez all look at Hispanic/Latin cultures and how identities are established in-between languages.
Make a tasty beverage
Choose between a traditional Hispanic drink like a margarita, a grapefruit-infused paloma, or a spicy michelada. It's also known as a Mexican Bloody Mary and is created with tomato juice, spicy sauce, lime juice, and beer. Not a fan of alcoholic beverages? You should try these Mexican drinks: horchata, hibiscus tea, and tamarind.
Create a playlist of your favorite Latin music
There's nothing like listening to a playlist of Latin tunes to motivate you whether you're rushing through a to-do list or heading for a morning run. With performers like J Balvin, Bad Bunny, Ozuna, Karol G, Natti Natasha, Becky G, and others, the possibilities are unlimited. You'll also come across fresh Spanglish hits like "Don't Be Shy."
Play some dominoes or loteria
Dominoes is a tile game that brings the community together and is a favorite pastime among Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Cubans. To begin playing with pals, clear a table and get a box of dominoes. Otherwise, you can try your luck with a game of lootera, which translates as "lottery." It's essentially a card-based version of bingo that's just as entertaining.
Help out a local business
Support local businesses to commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month all year. In terms of food, seek for places in your neighborhood that provide Colombian empanadas or Mexican sweet bread. You can also shop online for Latinx-owned stores selling cosmetics, fashion, and home goods.
4. National Hispanic Heritage Month Facts
- President Lyndon B. Johnson established Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968; President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a 30-day period in 1988; and it was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
- September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
- Additionally, Mexico and Chile commemorate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. - Additionally, Columbus Day, or Da de la Raza, which is celebrated on October 12, falls within this 30-day span.
- The Law Library of Congress has developed commemoration guides, including a thorough inventory of National Hispanic Heritage Month Public Laws, Presidential Proclamations, and congressional resolutions.
5. National Hispanic Heritage Month Quotes
"One of the hardest parts of life is deciding whether to walk away or try harder."- Hispanic saying
"I've been put on the planet to serve humanity. I have to remind myself to live simply and not to overindulge, which is a constant battle in a material world."- Sandra Cisneros
"The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever."- Sonia Sotomayor
"There is nothing harder than the softness of indifference."- Juan Montalvo
"Virtue is the truest nobility."- Miguel de Cervantes
"The point is not to pay back kindness but to pass it on."- Julia Alvarez
"But we must feel the pain before the pleasure... Only then can we tell them apart."- Gloria Estefan
"Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures."- Cesar Chavez
"One of the greatest things you have in life is that no one has the authority to tell you what you want to be. You're the one who'll decide what you want to be. Respect yourself and respect the integrity of others as well. The greatest thing you have is your self image, a positive opinion of yourself. You must never let anyone take it from you."- Jaime Escalante
"The number one issue in the Hispanic American community is "How do I leave my children better off than myself?""- Marco Rubio
"Don't be told something is impossible. There's always a way."- Robert Rodriguez
"We are human beings. And no matter how bad things are and no matter how limiting things are..we can always be creative."- Luis J. Rodriguez
"My mother gave me one piece of advice that stuck with me. She said don't forget where you came from."- Eva Longoria
