Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) is observed from September 15 to October 15 in the United States, unlike other heritage months celebrated during a singular calendar month. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson, as a way to pay tribute to the Hispanic and Latine communities’ contributions to the nation, and was enacted into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 as an entire month. The date of September 15 was chosen to commence HHM because it coincides with the independence days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, while Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on the 16th and 18th, respectively. It was expanded into October to recognize Día de la Raza, or “Day of the Race,” which celebrates the countries and people colonized by Spain and other European colonialists.
The HHM theme for 2024 is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” This month is an opportunity to recognize and learn about the history, journeys, and achievements of the Hispanic and Latine American communities while spotlighting the unique voices and experiences of those who continue to pioneer change and shape the future. According to the Pew Research Center, the US Hispanic/Latine population reached 63.6 million in 2022, up from 50.5 million in 2010. In 2022, Hispanics/Latines made up nearly one in five people in the United States (19 percent), up from 16 percent in 2010 and just 5 percent in 1970.
This guide includes ways to honor Hispanic Heritage Month by leveraging resources, linking initiatives to business impact, and building one’s knowledge base regarding Hispanic and Latine communities.
