Latiné Heritage Month is celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15 and provides more time to properly recognize the significant contributions Latiné/Latino/Hispanic Americans have made in the United States. The timeframe of this month is significant because many Central American countries celebrate their independence days within these dates, beginning on September 15 with Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This far-from-monolithic group, constituted by over 62 million people living in the United States, represents a diverse set of residents and citizens whose origins spanning from over 26 Spanish and Portuguese speaking countries and a myriad of rich and fascinating backgrounds. 14.4 million Latinos identify as Afro-Latinos, a quarter of Hispanics consider themselves indigenous or Native American. And 22% of Latino millennials are more likely to identify as proud members of the LGBTQ community.
Many Hispanic Americans can trace their roots back to the cultures of the Americas’ indigenous peoples, including the Aztecs (Mexico), Arawaks (Puerto Rico), Aztecs (Mexico), Incas (South America), Maya (Central America) and Tainos (in Cuba and Puerto Rico).
This observation began in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson as Hispanic Heritage Week. President Ronald Reagan expanded it in 1988 to include a 30-day period that started on September 15th and ended on October 15. The Public Law 100-402 approved it, and it was made law on August 17, 1988.
PLEASE celebrate with WUSM at the follow events and click here to learn more about Latiné Heritage Month!