Hispanic Heritage Month

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National Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual observance celebrating the history, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States. It is celebrated by over 63.7 million Hispanic Americans, representing nearly one-fifth of the nation's population, alongside many non-Hispanic allies. Rather than falling neatly within a single calendar month, the observance runs from September 15 through October 15 each year — and in 2026 will run from September 15 to October 15.

 

Why September 15?

The start date is not arbitrary. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, while the period also honors Mexico and Chile, whose independence days fall on September 16 and September 18 respectively. Some observances also note October 12, historically recognized in parts of Latin America as Día de la Raza. This clustering of independence anniversaries is what gives the 30-day observance its distinctive start-and-end dates rather than aligning with a single calendar month.

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From a Week to a Month: A Brief History

• 1968: Hispanic Heritage Month began as a commemorative week, first introduced in June 1968 by California Congressman George E. Brown. On September 17, 1968, Congress passed Public Law 90-498, authorizing the president to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, and President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation that same day.

• Civil Rights-era momentum: The push to recognize the contributions of the Latin community gained traction during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, as national awareness of the country's multicultural communities grew.

• 1988: Congress expanded the observance from a week to a full month when President Ronald Reagan signed legislation designating September 15 to October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month.

• 1989: Hispanic Heritage Month was first formally proclaimed under this expanded framework by President George H. W. Bush.

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Who Is Included

Hispanic Heritage Month honors people connected to all 21 Spanish-speaking countries, spanning Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Since the 2020 Census, individuals have been counted as Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish if they identify with origins including Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish background. The terms Hispanic, Latino, and the more recently used Latinx describe cultural or national origin rather than race.

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2026 Theme

The theme for Hispanic Heritage Month 2026 is "Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together," which emphasizes the role of Hispanic Americans in driving progress and innovation. Each year's theme and companion poster are selected through a federal process; the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers leads the process to choose the annual theme and poster used by federal agencies, organizations, and schools observing the month.

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Ways Communities and Classrooms Celebrate

• Cultural festivals and events: Parades, concerts, and food fairs are organized in cities nationwide, often tied to the independence-day anniversaries clustered at the start of the month.

• Educational programming: Educational events such as art exhibitions take place throughout the month, highlighting important Latino figures in history.

• National parks and historic sites: More than 500 years of Hispanic and Latino history can be explored through National Park Service sites and community partner programs across the country.

• Supporting Hispanic-owned businesses, exploring Hispanic literature, art, and music, and sharing family and community stories are also widely encouraged ways to mark the month.

• Social media engagement using the hashtag #HispanicHeritageMonth to share stories and local events.

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Key Facts and Figures

Fact

Detail

Observance dates (2026)

September 15 – October 15

First observed

1968 (as a week)

Expanded to a month

1988, signed by President Reagan

2026 theme

"Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together"

Population represented

Over 63.7 million Hispanic Americans, roughly one-fifth of the U.S. population

Federal holiday status

Not a federal holiday — a national commemorative observance

 

Additional Resources

Official U.S. Government Sources

• Hispanicheritagemonth.gov — the official federal Hispanic Heritage Month site, with background, primary source sets, and resources for educators

• U.S. Census Bureau — Facts for Features: Hispanic Heritage Month — current demographic data and statistics

• National Park Service — Hispanic Heritage Month — stories and historic sites connected to Hispanic and Latino history

Museums and Cultural Institutions

• Smithsonian Latino Center — exhibits, digital collections, and educational programming

• Google Arts & Culture: US Latino Culture — a digital archive of Latino art, culture, and history

Educator and Classroom Resources

• National Education Association — Hispanic Heritage Month Resources — lesson plans and multimedia resources for various grade levels

• History.com — Hispanic Heritage Month: Origins, Facts & Dates — accessible historical overview suitable for classroom use

Background on the Annual Theme and Poster

• National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) — theme selection process and downloadable poster, cleared for educational and nonprofit use with attribution

This report is intended for educational use. Facts and figures reflect the most current information available as of the observance period covered.