Celebrating Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month
Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month takes place annually from September 15th to October 15th. It is a dedicated time to honor the varied cultures, histories, and contributions of individuals with Latin American and Hispanic heritage living in the United States. This month-long celebration provides a platform to acknowledge the unique experiences, challenges, and accomplishments of Latinx and Hispanic communities.
In the United States, the terms “Hispanic” and “Latino” are often used interchangeably, but the words carry different meanings. “Hispanic” refers to people from Spanish-speaking Latin American countries as well as people from the Caribbean or from Spain itself. “Latino,” on the other hand, refers to people born in or with ancestors from Latin America and does not include people from Spain. Latin America stretches from northern Mexico to the end of the South American continent.
Hispanic Heritage Week was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968. Later in 1988, President Ronald Reagan extended the celebration to an entire month. Throughout this period, communities all over the United States come together to recognize and pay tribute to the outstanding contributions, vibrant culture, and rich history of Hispanic and Latino Americans. In our role as the Staff Council, we consider it both a privilege and a responsibility to support and promote diversity and inclusivity within our organization.
The timing of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month holds particular significance. September 15th signifies the anniversary of independence for multiple Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Following this, Mexico's Independence Day falls on September 16th, Chile's is celebrated on September 18th, and Belize’s independence on September 21st. By incorporating these dates into the month-long festivities, we can comprehensively acknowledge the cultural, historical, and social connections between Hispanic/Latin American countries and their diaspora residing in the United States.
If you would like to view upcoming events for this occasion, please visit the hyperlink below.