Facts About Hispanic Heritage Month
What does National Hispanic Heritage Month mean?
Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the contributions Americans tracing their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean have made to U.S. society and culture.
When is it celebrated and why?
Several Latin American Independence Days are celebrated through September and October.
September 15th marks Independence Day for: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua
September 16th marks Independence Day for Mexico
September 18th marks Independence Day for Chile
September 21st marks Independence Day for Belize
October 12th marks Día de la Raza, or Indigenous People’s Day, celebrated in Mexico. This day recognizes the mixed heritage of Mexico.
Hispanic, Latino/Latina and Latinx, is there a difference?
Yes there is a difference.
- Hispanic: A person who comes from, or whose background is from, a Spanish-speaking country
- Latino or Latina: A person who comes from, or whose background is from, a Latin American country
- Latinx: the gender-neutral word for Latino or Latina
