September 15th marked the start of Hispanic Heritage Month 2020 with the theme “Be Proud of Your Past, Embrace the Future.” In the spirit of acknowledging and supporting the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in our country and communities, Red Door's DEI committee developed a list of resources about Hispanic Heritage Month and the Latino stories that shape our national experience and identity.
How It Came to Be
On September 17, 1968, Congress passed Public Law 90-48, officially authorizing and requesting the president to issue annual proclamations declaring September 15 and 16 to mark the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Week and calling upon the “people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe such week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first Hispanic Heritage Week presidential proclamation the same day.
The timing of Hispanic Heritage Month coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of several Latin American nations. September 15 was chosen as the kickoff because it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of five “Central American neighbors,” as Johnson called them—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Those five nations declared their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821.
In his proclamation, Johnson also acknowledged Mexico, which declared its independence from Spain on September 16, 1810. Although not mentioned specifically by Johnson, Chile also celebrates its independence during that week (September 18, 1810 from Spain) and Belize, which declared its independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981, was subsequently added to the list of nations specifically celebrated during what is now Hispanic Heritage Month.
From 1968 until 1988, Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter and Reagan all issued the yearly proclamations, setting aside a week to honor Hispanic Americans. In 1987 U.S. Representative Esteban E. Torres of California proposed expanding the observance to cover its current 31-day period. Torres wanted more time so that the nation could “properly observe and coordinate events and activities to celebrate Hispanic culture and achievement.”
In 1988, Senator Paul Simon (D-Illinois), submitted a similar bill that successfully passed Congress and was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on August 17, 1988. And on September 14, 1989, President George H.W. Bush (who had been a sponsor of the original Hispanic Heritage Week resolution while serving in the House in 1968) became the first president to declare the 31-day period from September 15 to October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month.
“Not all of the contributions made by Hispanic Americans to our society are so visible or so widely celebrated, however. Hispanic Americans have enriched our nation beyond measure with the quiet strength of closely knit families and proud communities,”
-George H.W. Bush, 1989
In the decades since, National Hispanic Heritage Month proclamations have been made by every sitting president of the United States.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
The following resources highlight the history and impact of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
Hispanic Heritage Month Resources from the Smithsonian
The Top 8 Reasons Why and How We Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
18 Major Moments in Hispanic History That All Americans Need To Know
Hispanic Heritage and History in the United States
Latino Americans: Season 1 Episodes (PBS)
Latino Americans: Timeline of Important Dates
History of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States
We look forward to celebrating Hispanic Heritage with all of you throughout the month, and hope that you find these resources insightful and inspiring.
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Commitee, Red Door Interactive