Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month is a month-long celebration recognizing the impact of Hispanics in the United States.

According to a recent U.S. census population survey, there were over 37 million Hispanics living in the United States in 2002 (roughly 13 percent of the total population).

The celebration typically begins around September 15 and lasts until the middle of October. The dates were chosen to coincide with the anniversary of independence for five countries in Latin America: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, as well as Mexico (September 16) and Chile (September 18).

History of Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month actually wasn't a month-long celebration to begin with; it was first celebrated as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. A resolution was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives to recognize Hispanics in the United States.

Hispanic Heritage Week proved to be too short a time to allow for the official observance of Hispanics and their accomplishments, and as such, Hispanic Heritage Week was changed to Hispanic Heritage Month 20 years later in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan.

Dates of Independence Days for Spanish-speaking countries: