Hispanic Heritage Month is a national celebration of Hispanic culture and a tribute to the contributions that generations of Hispanic and Latin-identifying Americans have provided to the United States. The observance was first recognized and celebrated as a national holiday in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson. Then, President Ronald Reagan proclaimed Hispanic Heritage Month a month-long observance. President Reagan enacted a law on Aug. 17, 1988, which declared the holiday to be celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 each year.
The theme of Hispanic Heritage Month 2025 is:
"Collective Heritage: Honoring our Past, Inspiring the Future"
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on Sept. 15 to honor the many significant dates of Hispanic and Latin American countries:
Sept. 15 is the independence anniversary for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Sept. 16 is Mexico's Independence Day.
Sept. 18 is Chile's Independence Day.
Oct. 12 is Dia de la Raza, or "Race Day", which is celebrated in Mexico to recognize the mix of Indigenous and European influences on Mexican culture.
Fast Facts:
Hispanic and Latine Americans comprise 19.5% (roughly 65.2 million individuals) of the United States population, the largest racial/ethnic community in the U.S.
Although terms are often used interchangeably, "Hispanic" and "Latino" have distinct meanings. The term Hispanic refers to someone who comes from or is a descendant of a Spanish-speaking country. In contrast, Latina or Latino (or the gender-inclusive, Latine) refers to someone who comes from Latin America or is a descendant of any Latin American country.
After English, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States.
Events in OKC:
Sept. 11: | Tower Theatre at 7 p.m.
Sept. 14: | 7000 Crossroads Blvd, OKC, from 2 to 11 p.m.
Sept. 27: | Southside Scissortail Park, OKC, at 11 a.m. Join ODEI, HSA, & HLLSA in participating in the parade!
Oct. 11: | Scissortail Park, OKC, from 4 to 10 p.m.
How to Celebrate:
Art: Learn about the Hispanic and Latine perspectives through film, literature, music, and curated exhibitions.
History: Learn about scientific breakthroughs, legislation, and navigation by the Hispanic and Latine community, along with many other cultural contributions.
Community: Support Hispanic/Latine-owned businesses and attend local events that celebrate, uplift, and spotlight the Hispanic/Latine community.
Advocacy: Work towards equality for the Hispanic/Latine community through education, volunteering, and donating.
Sources:
National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers |
Library of Congress |
U.S. Census Bureau |
