History of Hispanic Heritage Month: National celebration begins this week

Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15, honors the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

This month-long observance originally began as a week-long celebration, but was expanded to encompass a full 30-day period to better recognize the significant role Hispanic Americans have played throughout U.S. history.

The following information is provided by the National Hispanic Heritage Month site from the U.S. Library of Congress as well as the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute at George Washington University

The Significance of September 15

The choice of September 15th as the annual start date of Hispanic Heritage Month is significant because it aligns with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries.

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On this day in 1821, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua all declared their independence from Spain.

Mexican Independence Day celebrates history through food, music and dance

Key Dates during Hispanic Heritage Month

The celebration includes other important dates that mark national independence and cultural identity:

From a Week to a Month

The observance of Hispanic heritage began as a week-long event.

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In 1968, California Congressman George E. Brown proposed a celebration to recognize the contributions of Latinx communities in the U.S.

This was part of a broader movement during the Civil Rights era to acknowledge minority populations.

President Lyndon B. Johnson officially signed Public Law 90–48 on September 17, 1968, establishing National Hispanic Heritage Week.

A folklorico ballet dancer performs during a lowrider exhibition for the 20th anniversary of Lincoln Park in El Paso, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrés Leighton)

Over time, it became clear that one week was not enough to properly celebrate and honor the diverse cultures and history, according to Miguel Cardona with the Cisneros Hispanic Leadership Institute.

In 1987, Representative Esteban E. Torres proposed expanding the celebration to a 31-day period.

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His bill was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on August 17, 1988, officially creating National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Mexican native living the American dream in Springfield

On September 14, 1989, President George H.W. Bush was the first to officially declare the new period from September 15 to October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month.

Stay tuned for Ozarks First’s annual Hispanic Heritage special. Throughout the month, we’re highlighting the contributions made by Hispanic immigrants in the Ozarks.

More information and past stories can be found here on our Hispanic Heritage Month page.

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There, you can also view a full timeline detailing Hispanic Exploration in America.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com.

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