He is the first North American pontiff to be elected leader of the Catholic Church
If you include people who speak Spanish as a second language, there are more Spanish speakers in the US than in Spain!
According to the Pew Research Center, in 2021 individuals of Mexican descent accounted for nearly 60% (about 37.2 million people) of the total Hispanic population in the US.
Whether you read a book by a Hispanic author, listen to music or choose a TV show that highlights Hispanic culture, it's the perfect time to support your favorite Hispanic talents. Or discover some new ones!
California Congressman George E. Brown first introduced Hispanic Heritage Week in June 1968. On September 17, 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson (pictured) signed Proclamation 3869, officially designating Hispanic Heritage Week.
From 1979 to 2016, every sitting US president was invited to address the gala, and only former President George H.W. Bush was unable to attend during his time in office. In 2017, CHCI didn’t invite former President Donald Trump after he announced a plan to cancel the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. President Joe Biden attended in 2022.
This is another great way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, especially when it comes to supporting up-and-coming artists.
Hispanic Heritage Month is about learning and celebrating the rich and diverse culture from the many Spanish-speaking countries. Click on for a few ideas for celebrating.
In the US, 5.8 million people are of Puerto Rican origin. Another 3.1 million people live in Puerto Rico as of 2021.
President George H.W. Bush was the first president to declare September 15 to October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month. He was also a sponsor of the original 1968 Hispanic Heritage Week resolution while serving in the House of Representatives.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide through music festivals, parades, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and more.
It may seem strange that National Hispanic Heritage Month begins in the middle of one month and ends in the middle of another, but these dates actually hold historical significance.
These include Americans with origins in Cuba, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Colombia, and Honduras.
Starting with George H.W. Bush, every US president has given a proclamation acknowledging Hispanic Heritage Month.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Hispanic-identifying people make up the nation’s largest racial or ethnic minority, at 19.1% as of July 2022.
One in four children in the US is Hispanic. That's 25% of all children. And 94% of them were born in the US.
These states are: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.
September 15 is the date when five Latin American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua—earned their independence from Spain in 1821.
Each year, the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) announces an observance theme for Hispanic Heritage Month. The 2023 theme is "Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One."
According to the US Census Bureau, the month honors the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
A person who identifies as Hispanic is from or has ancestors from a Spanish-speaking territory or country.
Mexico and Chile became independent from Spain on September 16 and 18, respectively. Belize became independent from the UK on September 21.
Supporting Hispanic-owned small businesses can help build relationships, a healthy economy, job growth, and community satisfaction.
Sources: (Women's Health) (People) (Oprah Daily)
See also: Stars you had no idea are Latinos
Dance is a huge part of Hispanic culture. From merengue to salsa, grab a friend and get those feet moving!
From Mexican tacos to Spanish tapas, find a national dish, and give it a try!
Torres wanted more time to allow the nation to "properly observe and coordinate events and activities to celebrate Hispanic culture and achievement."
In 1988, Senator Paul Simon submitted a similar bill that successfully passed Congress. President Ronald Reagan (pictured) signed the bill into law on August 17, 1988.
According to the Pew Research Center, four out of five Latinos (81%) living in the US are US citizens as of 2021. This includes people born in the US and its territories, including Puerto Rico, those born abroad to American parents, and immigrants who have become naturalized citizens.
While the terms Hispanic and Latino are often used interchangeably, Hispanic is only used to describe someone of Spanish-speaking origin, while Latino, Latina, and Latinx are used to describe a person of Latin American origin. For example, a Brazilian may consider themselves Latino but not Hispanic, since they speak Portuguese and not Spanish.
For more than 50 years, various events, performances, and educational activities have taken place across the US during National Hispanic Heritage Month to raise awareness and appreciation for Hispanic heritage.
Ready? Click on to expand your knowledge and appreciation of this month-long celebration.
Everything you need to know about Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 to October 15 sees a celebration of the culture and contributions of Hispanic Americans
LIFESTYLE Culture
National Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of US citizens whose ancestors came from Hispanic countries. From entertainment to food, the Hispanic communities have truly left their impact on American history. While their contributions can be spotted throughout day-to-day life, Hispanic Heritage Month brings these accomplishments to the forefront. After all, recognizing their contributions is an important step to creating a society built on mutual respect and admiration for everyone who makes up the country.
For more than 50 years, various events, performances, and educational activities have taken place across the US during National Hispanic Heritage Month to raise awareness and appreciation for Hispanic heritage.
Ready? Click on to expand your knowledge and appreciation of this month-long celebration.