Virtual Student Center

Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.

Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week”, but it was later extended to a month in 1988. Since then, HHM has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and much more. 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. They also include holidays that recognize Hispanic contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Click Here for additional information about Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month Book Display

The Library and Student Development and Campus Life (SDCL) have created a book display on campus to celebrate Hispanic authors and literature. CLICK HERE to find this display on your campus! Or CLICK HERE to see our Virtual Book Display! 

SDCL FoodEASE

CLICK HERE for a series of cooking demonstration videos highlighting Hispanic cuisine.

The National Museum of the American Latino Virtual Exhibit

Explore the ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States virtual exhibit

https://latino.si.edu/virtual-exhibitions

Spotify Playlist

Listen to the SDCL Hispanic Heritage Month Spotify Playlist highlighting artists of Hispanic heritage.

5 Facts About Hispanic Heritage Month

1. According to the latest U.S. Census data, the Hispanic or Latine population hit 62.1 million — making this community the largest minority group in the country. 
   ‍
2. There were actually two different attempts to make Hispanic Heritage Month happen. In 1987, Representative Esteban Torres of California tried to expand National Hispanic Heritage Week into a month-long occasion, which would “allow our nation to properly observe and coordinate events and activities to celebrate Hispanic culture and achievement.”Though it was unsuccessful in getting passed in Congress, Senator Paul Simon of Illinois later submitted a similar bill, which was eventually signed by President Ronald Reagan on August 17, 1988.

3. Instead of celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day, Mexicans observe the Día de la Raza (Race Day) on October 12th, which recognizes the mixed Indigenous and European heritage of Mexico.
   ‍
4. Love your cowboy hats? You have Mexican and Spanish ranchers or “rancheros” to thank for that! The traditions, which originated in Mexico and Spain, come from hard-working farmers who used cowboy hats as they worked over their crops and livestock.
   ‍
5.  Although they are often used interchangeably, the terms “Hispanic” and “Latino” have different meanings. The term Hispanic refers to someone who comes from or is a descendant of a Spanish-speaking country, whereas Latina or Latino (or the gender-neutral, Latine) refers to someone who comes from Latin America or is a descendant from any Latin American country.
   ‍
   This means that a person can be both Hispanic and Latine, however, not all Latine people are Hispanic. For instance, Brazilians are Latinos, but their native language is not Spanish.