Hispanic Heritage Month
Let’s celebrate the rich and diverse cultural contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans!
Written by Elvira Mendez, Traffic Coordinator - McCullough Industries (Kenton, OH)
Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 every year to honor and recognize the contributions and cultural heritage of Hispanic and Latinx Americans. Hispanic Heritage Week was introduced by California Congressman George E. Brown and passed into law under President Lyndon B. Johnson in June of 1968. The observation was initiated as part of a growing recognition of the contributions of minority populations toward the end of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. The weeklong celebration was expanded in 1988, as proposed by California Representative Esteban E. Torres and established into law by President Ronald Regan that same year.
The timing of this observance, beginning in mid-September, offers a symbolic meaning, as it marks the independence celebrations of several Latin American countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, which all declared independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. This month also marks the Independence Days of Mexico and Chile who declared their independence from Spain in 1810, on September 16 and 18 respectively.
Latinx impact and contributions can be seen throughout history, like civil rights movement leaders Cesar Chaves and Dolores Huerta, who co-founded “United Farm Workers,” which advocated for the rights of farm workers and pushed for improved working conditions and labor reforms in the 1960s, and associate justice Sonya Sotomayor, who became the first Hispanic woman to serve on the Supreme Court in 2009.
The influence of Latinx culture can be felt through the world of music, dance, film, television and theater, as well. Artists, like Bad Bunny, have popularized Latin music purely in Spanish and brought new rhythms to mainstream media. Other well-known Hispanic artists and actors include Camila Cabello, Cameron Diaz, Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, Eva Mendez, Shakira, Gloria Estefan, Carlos Santana, Martin Sheen, Jennifer Lopez, Rita Hayworth and Lin-Manuel Miranda, a highly acclaimed and influential American composer, playwright, actor, and producer whose groundbreaking work in musical theater has amplified the voices and stories of Latin communities.
This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” By embracing the diversity and richness of Hispanic cultures, this month provides a deeper understanding of the ways in which different cultures can enrich one another. Hispanic Heritage Month is more than a calendar event. It is a celebration of identity, a recognition of past and present contributions, and a call to continue advancing the values of inclusivity and respect. As we observe this important month, we honor not only the history but also the vibrant future of Hispanic Americans and their integral role in shaping the nation.
