Skip to Main Content

Latinx and Hispanic Communities and Heritage

Getting started

Key terms

Celebrating Latinx and Hispanic communities - facts and history

"The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988." - Source: National Archives

    The 30 days are from September 15 to October 15.

    "The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latin American countries, including: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th." Source: U.S. Dept. of Education

   Facts for Features, Hispanic Heritage Month. Source: U.S. Census Bureau (website also available in Spanish)