How Hispanic Heritage Month Got Its Start
In September, 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim a National Hispanic Heritage Week; by 1988, the week was expanded into an entire month of observation that stretched from September 15 to October 15. Hispanic Heritage Month is designed to celebrate the culture, traditions and contributions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.
The kickoff date, September 15, was selected because it coincides with the anniversary of independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on September 16 and 18, respectively.
The Importance of Hispanic Heritage Month
Currently, people of Hispanic origin make up the United States’ largest ethnic or race minority, and projections predict the nation’s Latino population will triple in size and account for much of the nation’s growth from 2005 through 2050. In a little more than forty years, Hispanics will make up 29% of the U.S. population, up from 14% in 2005.
Throughout the history of the U.S., Hispanics have played a crucial role in business, the arts, politics, science, sports and politics. As some of the first adventurers to explore the United States, the Spaniards left their mark from coast to coast; since then, the achievements of Hispanic-Americans have been numerous.
Many Hispanic Americans trace their roots to the cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas including the Arawaks (Puerto Rico), the Aztecs (Mexico), the Incas (South America), the Mayas (Central America), and the Tainos (the Caribbean).
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Some trace their roots to Spanish explorers who, in the 1400s, set out to find faster and easier ways to trade with the Indies. Other Latinos trace their roots to the Africans brought to the New World to be slaves. For purposes of the U.S. Census, Hispanic Americans today are identified are by the parts of the world that they and their ancestors came from, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spain, or the nations of Central and South America.
Did You Know?
- Rita Moreno was the first Hispanic actress to win an Academy Award for her best supporting role as “Anita” in the film adaptation of West Side Story in 1961. She is the first female and only Puerto Rican performer to have won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony.
- Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic woman astronaut, participating in her first space shuttle mission aboard the Discovery in April 1993.
- The first Hispanic Medal of Honor recipient was Army Private Jose Martinez, who earned it in May, 1943 for his bravery in a battle during World War II.
- In 1992, salsa outsold ketchup for the first time in the U.S.
- Thirteen states (AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, TX, and WA) have at least half a million Hispanic residents.
Click here to learn more about Hispanic Heritage.
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