Ever wonder why Hispanic Heritage Month—or Mes de la Hispanidad—starts on September 15th? It feels weird, right? Most holidays or commemorative months start on the first of the month. But this 30-day stretch from mid-September to mid-October is actually rooted in a series of independence anniversaries that reshaped the Western Hemisphere. It’s not just about tacos or parades. It’s a deep, sometimes messy, and incredibly vibrant recognition of the 60-plus million people in the U.S. who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Honestly, the whole thing started as a week. Back in 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed it into law. Then, twenty years later, Ronald Reagan stretched it out to a full month. People often ask if it’s "Latino Heritage Month" or "Hispanic Heritage Month." There’s a difference. Hispanic generally refers to people from Spanish-speaking countries, including Spain but usually excluding Brazil. Latino/a/x refers to people from Latin America, including Brazil but excluding Spain. Most people use them interchangeably during the Mes de la Hispanidad, but the nuances matter to the folks living those identities.
The September 15th Mystery
Why the 15th? It's not random. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. They all gained independence in 1821. Mexico and Chile follow right behind on the 16th and 18th.
By starting in the middle of the month, the U.S. government basically acknowledged that the history of this land didn't start with the Mayflower. It started much earlier, with Spanish explorers in Florida and the Southwest. You’ve got cities like St. Augustine, founded in 1565, which is way older than Jamestown. That's a fact most history books kinda gloss over.
More than just a party
When people think of the Mes de la Hispanidad, they think of festivals. That's fine. Festivals are great. But the actual impact is economic and cultural. Hispanic-owned businesses are growing at a rate two times faster than the national average. If the U.S. Latino GDP were its own country, it would be the fifth-largest in the world. Think about that for a second. We're talking trillions of dollars.
It’s about the nurse in Chicago who’s bilingual. It’s about the engineer in Houston. It’s about the musician in Miami.
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The Controversy of "Columbus Day"
You can't talk about the Mes de la Hispanidad without talking about October 12th. Traditionally, this was Columbus Day. In many Latin American countries, it’s Día de la Raza. It’s a day that recognizes the "new race" created by the mix of European and Indigenous cultures.
Lately, though, the vibe has shifted. A lot of people prefer "Indigenous Peoples' Day." There’s a tension there. On one hand, you celebrate the Spanish influence that created modern Latin America. On the other hand, you have to acknowledge the colonial violence that came with it. It’s complicated. Life is complicated. The month captures that tug-of-war between celebrating heritage and reckoning with history.
Education and the Future
School districts across the country use this month to actually teach some history that isn't just about George Washington. Take the case of Mendez v. Westminster. This was a 1947 federal court case that challenged Mexican remedial schools in Orange County, California. This happened seven years before Brown v. Board of Education.
Felicitas and Gonzalo Mendez wanted their kids to go to a "white" school. They won. That victory paved the way for the end of segregation in American schools. Most people have never heard of them. This is why the Mes de la Hispanidad exists—to bring these stories out of the shadows.
- Ellen Ochoa: The first Hispanic woman in space.
- Roberto Clemente: Not just a baseball legend, but a humanitarian who died helping others.
- Sonia Sotomayor: The first Hispanic Supreme Court Justice.
These aren't just "Hispanic heroes." They are American heroes. Period.
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Why language matters (and why it doesn't)
There’s this misconception that you have to speak Spanish to be "Hispanic enough" to celebrate the Mes de la Hispanidad. That’s nonsense. There are millions of third and fourth-generation Latinos who don't speak fluent Spanish but are deeply connected to their culture. Culture is about food, values, religion, and family structures. It's about the abuela who makes the best empanadas even if she never went to culinary school.
It's also about the diversity within the group. A Cuban in Miami has a totally different experience than a Mexican in Los Angeles or a Puerto Rican in the Bronx. Their food is different. Their slang is different. Their politics are definitely different. Grouping them all into one "Hispanic" bucket is useful for the census, but it misses the beautiful chaos of the actual communities.
How to actually observe the month
Don't just post a flag on Instagram. That's performative. If you really want to lean into the Mes de la Hispanidad, do something that actually supports the community.
Buy from a local Hispanic-owned business. Not just a restaurant. Look for a bookstore, a clothing boutique, or a tech startup. Read a book by a Latino author like Isabel Allende or Gabriel García Márquez. Better yet, read someone newer like Elizabeth Acevedo.
Watch a documentary about the Chicano Movement of the 1960s. Learn about the United Farm Workers and the labor rights movement led by Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta. This history is American history. It shouldn't be relegated to a single month, but the month gives us a reason to stop and pay attention.
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The Census Bureau reports that by 2050, one in four Americans will be Hispanic. This isn't a "minority" story anymore. It's the story of the country's future.
Actionable Next Steps
To make the most of this year's celebration, focus on these three concrete actions:
Support Hispanic-owned businesses by using directories like the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) to find local vendors. This moves the needle on economic equity far more than a social media post ever will.
Update your reading list to include non-fiction accounts of Hispanic American history. Specifically, look into the 1911 First Mexican Congress or the history of the Young Lords in New York City to understand the political roots of these communities.
Volunteer or donate to organizations that provide legal aid or educational resources to immigrant communities. Groups like MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) or UnidosUS work year-round to address systemic issues that impact the people we celebrate during this month.