National Hispanic Heritage Month facts for kids
National Hispanic Heritage Month (in Spanish: Mes nacional de la herencia hispana) is a special time in the United States. It happens every year from September 15 to October 15. During this month, we celebrate the amazing contributions and influence of Hispanic culture. We recognize how Hispanic people have shaped the nation's achievements, culture, and history. It's a time to learn about and honor their rich heritage.
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The Story Behind Hispanic Heritage Month
The idea for this celebration started small. In 1968, a politician named George Brown Jr. from Los Angeles suggested a "National Hispanic Heritage Week." President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law. This week included September 15 and 16.
Later, in 1988, another politician, Esteban Torres, wanted to make the celebration longer. Senator Paul Simon helped with this idea. President Ronald Reagan then signed a law to expand it to a whole month. This is why we now celebrate from September 15 to October 15.
Why September 15 is Important
September 15 was chosen for a very important reason. It marks the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores. This event happened early on September 16, 1810. It started the Mexican War of Independence. This war led to independence for many countries in 1821. These included Mexico and several Central American nations. These nations are Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua. They later formed the Federal Republic of Central America.
The 30-day celebration includes many other important dates. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate their independence on September 15. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16. Chile celebrates its independence on September 18. The month also includes Columbus Day or Día de la Raza.
Presidential Recognition
President Johnson first officially announced Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968. From 1969 to 1988, Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan made annual announcements. The first time National Hispanic Heritage Month was announced was by President George H. W. Bush. This happened on September 14, 1989. Since then, every president has made an official announcement for Hispanic Heritage Month.
In February 2025, Google shared that Hispanic Heritage Month would no longer be automatically highlighted on Google Calendar. They explained that it was becoming too difficult to manually add all growing cultural events.
Honoring Hispanic Americans in the Military
National Hispanic Heritage Month is a special time for the U.S. Military. It honors Hispanic Americans who have served or are currently serving in the armed forces. These brave individuals have made huge contributions to our nation's defense.
Many Hispanic Americans have shown incredible courage. Sixty-one people of Hispanic heritage have received the Medal of Honor. This is one of the highest awards for bravery in the military. Two of these awards went to Navy members. Thirteen went to U.S. Marine Corps members. Forty-six went to U.S. Army members.
Hispanic Contributions to the Army
The U.S. Army celebrates the long and important contributions of Hispanic people. They have helped build and defend the nation. As of September 2018, about 136,000 Hispanic soldiers served in the Army. This made up 13.8 percent of the Army. The Army aims to celebrate its diverse and welcoming environment. During this month, they share stories and honor Hispanic soldiers, civilians, and their families. The number of Hispanic Americans on active duty has grown a lot. In 1985, it was three percent. By 2016, it had increased to 13.7 percent.
The U.S. Navy also celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. They honor sailors of Hispanic heritage. Their military service goes all the way back to the Civil War. As of June 2018, about 59,000 active and reserve sailors of Hispanic heritage served in the U.S. Navy and Marines.
Celebrating with Festivals and Events
Across the United States, many events take place during Hispanic Heritage Month. These events help people celebrate and learn about Hispanic culture.
- The Northwest Arkansas Hispanic Heritage Festival started in 2013. It is held every year in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
- The El Barrio Latin Jazz Festival happens annually in September. It takes place in The Bronx, New York City.
- The Smithsonian Institution hosts many events in Washington, D.C.. One popular event is the Zoo Fiesta. In 2018, the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian had a series of performances. It featured dances from Bolivia, Mexico, and Guatemala. There were also mask making and traditional crafts.
- The Hispanic Family Festival is held every year. It takes place at Springdale Park in Springdale, Holyoke, Massachusetts.
- The Official Latino Short Film Festival began in 2015.
- The Hispanic Star is a platform by the We Are All Human Foundation. In 2020, they hosted a virtual kick-off event. It featured artists like Residente and Fonseca. Leaders also discussed Hispanic heritage, pride, and success stories. The organization also shared tools to help others join the celebration.
See also
In Spanish: Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana para niños
