President Lyndon B. Johnson first introduced National Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. Congress expanded it from a week to a month long beginning in 1989, after it was amended into public law in 1988 during Ronald Reagan's presidency. In Presidential Proclamation 3869, available via the Library of Congress, President Johnson wrote, “Wishing to pay special tribute to the Hispanic tradition, and having in mind the fact that our five Central American neighbors celebrate their Independence Day on the fifteenth of September and the Republic of Mexico on the sixteenth, the Congress by House Joint Resolution 1299, has requested the President to issue annually a proclamation designating the week including September 15 and 16 as National Hispanic Heritage Week.” On August 17, 1988, Congress passed a law to extend it into a month-long holiday during Ronald Reagan's presidency. The first Hispanic Heritage Month was celebrated in 1989. Continue reading from Oprah Magazine
Hispanic Heritage Month is an official celebration of American citizens whose ancestry can be traced back to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. The festival now lasts from September 15 to October 15 every year, but it first started out as just a week long celebration of in 1968. Twenty years later, in 1988 it expanded to dedicate a whole four weeks for the celebration of being Hispanic.
The celebration starts in the middle of the month, as opposed to the end, because the 15th marks the independence days of five Latin America countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile, and Belize follow shortly after, on the 16th, 18th and 21st. Hispanic Heritage Month “pays tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society,” according to the official website. Continue reading from Time
While the Hispanic and Latinx communities may celebrate their cultures daily through food, language and traditions, there are many different ways to honor the month, which begins on September 15 and runs until October 15. Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the impactful ways Hispanic people have contributed to U.S. history. Allies can also take part through Hispanic Heritage Month activities that can foster fun educational moments, and leave lasting impressions about customs around the world.
Start off by supporting a local business in your neighborhood that offers delicious food or refreshing drinks. If you’re more into online shopping, browse a Latinx Etsy shop for some unique gifts. Feel like staying in tonight? Turn on a show or movie in Spanish with the subtitles. You could end up learning a word or two to impress your friends with. Check out more ideas for Hispanic Heritage Month activities for kids and adults. Continue reading from Good Housekeeping
National Hispanic Heritage Month (The National Archives)
How Hispanic Heritage Month Became a Thing (Salud America)
Hispanic Heritage Month (The US Census Bureau)
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Oprah Magazine)
American Latino Heritage (National Park Service)
Virtual Exhibits and Programs (The Hispanic Museum and Library)