National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States runs from September 15th to October 15th. Former US President Lyndon B. Johnson signed off on it. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan extended it to its current length. On August 17, 1988, it became law. National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on the anniversary of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Costa Rica’s independence. It is also intended to commemorate the long history and heritage of Latino and Hispanic Americans in North America. In the United States, Canada, and Latin America, National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is intended to honor the traditions, legacies, and accomplishments of Hispanic Americans in the United States.
On September 16th, Mexico celebrates its independence.
Chile marks its independence day on September 18th.
On September 21st, Belize celebrates its independence.
Hispanic heritage was first celebrated on a national scale in 1968, when it began as a week-long celebration.
National Hispanic Heritage Month lasts until October 15th, just a few days after Christopher Columbus discovered America on October 12th.
National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations include film screenings, concerts, festivals with food, crafts, and other goods, and museum exhibits.
In the United States today, there are approximately 53 million people of Hispanic ancestry.
Hispanics are the most numerous ethnic or racial minority in the United States, accounting for approximately 17% of the population.
It is estimated that by 2060, the Hispanic population in the United States will account for approximately 31% of the total population.
Approximately 65 percent of the Hispanic population in the United States is of Mexican descent.
Washington, Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, Nevada, Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, California, and Arizona all have a Hispanic population of at least 500,000 people.
There are approximately 1.1 million Hispanic or Latino veterans of the United States armed forces.
Isabel Allende, Julia Alvarez, Rudolfo Anaya, Sandra Cisneros, Oscar Hijuelos, Maria Hinojosa, Geraldo Rivera, Louis Santeiro, and Gary Soto are examples of famous Hispanic writers and journalists.
Desi Arnaz, Lynda Carter, Sammy Davis Jr., Cameron Diaz, Emilio Estevez, America Ferrera, Andy Garcia, Salma Hayek, Rita Hayworth, Raul Julia, Jennifer Lopez, Anthony Quinn, and Charlie Sheen are among the famous Hispanic actors and actresses.
Linda Ronstadt, Jennifer Lopez, Sammy Davis Jr., Christina Aguilera, Gloria Estefan, Trini Lopez, Ricky Martin, Carlos Santana, Selena, and Rita Moreno are all famous Hispanic singers.
Roberto Alomar, Jose Canseco, Oscar De La Hoya, Scott Gomez, Pedro Martinez, Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez, and Nancy Lopez are all famous Hispanic athletes.
Joan Baez, Cesar Chavez, David Barkley, Linda Chavez-Thompson, and Ernesto Galarza are examples of Hispanic leaders and activists.
Nobel laureates with Hispanic ancestry include Severo Ochoa, Luis Walter Alvarez, and Mario Molina, as well as Ellen Ochoa, Franklin Chang-Diaz, and Carlos Noriega (astronauts).
Sesame Street has highlighted Hispanic Heritage Month.
In the United States, Spanish is the second most widely spoken language.
