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What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the U.S. from September 15–October 15 and honors the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans, or those whose ancestors are from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central or South America.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, people of Hispanic and Latinx origin are the nation’s largest ethnic minority, making up 18.5% of the U.S. population.
The terms Hispanic and Latinx refer to a person’s origin and ancestry rather than their race. These terms have different meanings and are not interchangeable, though many people identify as both.
- Hispanic refers to a person who is from or is a descendant of someone who is from a Spanish-speaking country.
- Latino/a or Latinx refers to a person who is from or is a descendant of someone who is from Latin America.
How did Hispanic Heritage Month begin?
President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. In 1988, Congress enacted a law to extend the observation into a month-long celebration.
The month of September is significant because September 15 is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico, Chile and Belize celebrate their independence days on September 16, 18 and 21, respectively.
How can I celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month can be recognized and celebrated in many ways. We invite you to check out some of the local celebrations listed below or make it a point to support local Hispanic-owned businesses. We will be sharing more ways to celebrate as the month progresses!
Kansas City:
Los Angeles:
NYC:
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We would love to hear about what your Hispanic heritage means to you, or if you are not of Hispanic origin, we would love to hear your favorite way to celebrate the culture. If you would like to share, please add your name to this google sheet and our social team will be in contact to potentially feature your story on MMGY Global’s social channels throughout the month. Gracias!
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