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What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
On September 17, 1968, a Joint Resolution was passed by the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives designating "National Hispanic Heritage Week." Twenty years later, Public Law 100-402 was passed, extending the observance to an entire month, beginning with Mexican Independence Day on September 15th.
Each year since 1968, the President of the United States has issued a Presidential Proclamation, calling on people of all cultures to recognize and celebrate the history, culture and innumerable contributions of Hispanic people in our nation.
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico achieved independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.