Hispanic Heritage Month: Its meaning and relevance

Graphic with the words Hispanic Heritage Month (Mia Landaverde / The Puma Prensa)

By Mia Landaverde, Staff Writer

From September 15 to October 15, the entire country celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. Hispanic Heritage Month is more than what its name entails, celebrating past identity: it celebrates the culture, the contribution, and significance Hispanic and Latinx people hold today in the United States. Let’s learn more about what this month means to the Hispanic population of America. 

Started in 1968 as a week-long celebration, Hispanic Heritage Month was established by President Johnson to recognize the contributions Hispanic Americans and Latin Americans had made, and was later expanded to a month by President Reagan in 1988. The timing of the celebration is odd as Hispanic Heritage Month isn’t dedicated to an entire month on the calendar. Instead, it is celebrated between the span of mid-September to mid-October, a time where several hispanic countries celebrate their independence days. Therefore, while celebrating their impact in one country they may call home, they are able to celebrate their culture in the other. With this timing, Hispanic Heritage Month honors resilience and determination of the community, as well as acknowledging their identity. 

There is one question, though. What deems someone Hispanic or Latinx? The answer is, both can co-exist. The terms Latinx, Latino, and Latina were made to describe someone who is from Latin America, connected to the land. Hispanic essentially means that someone is connected to the Spanish language. The two terms can be used interchangeably, but someone from Spain wouldn’t be considered Latinx as they are not from Latin America. Yet again, these two identities can co-exist and many identify as both Hispanic or Latinx rather than choosing one. 

Yet, there is still an underlying meaning to why the community is celebrated. Why is Hispanic Heritage Month important? Hispanic Heritage Month is important because not only does it celebrate culture, but also its representation. Representation matters for the Hispanic community because day after day, they have helped build the nation America has become. They are recognized as strong leaders and changemakers, activists, champions, and more. Hispanic Heritage Month allows the U.S. to acknowledge the sacrifices the community has made, after studies have shown that in most school textbooks, Hispanic and Latinx people are largely left out. 

This month allows the opportunity to give the Hispanic community a voice, and allows the recognition of their history, hardships, culture, and significance in America. It’s important to always be respectful of the diversity in the U.S., and simply take the time to recognize the impact every culture has had on this country. Happy Hispanic Heritage Month to every Hispanic/Latinx Puma!