In the United States, more than 62 million people identify as Hispanic or Latino. Their varied backgrounds, cultures and traditions inform and enrich our national identity. Each September, the nation honors the history and contributions of Hispanic Americans through National Hispanic Heritage Month. The official observance started in 1968 as Hispanic Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson and became a month-long celebration in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan.
Hispanic Heritage Month spotlights the awe-inspiring diversity and rich cultures of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean and other Spanish-speaking regions. Hispanics are the fastest growing racial or ethnic group in the United States.
From music to dance, art to cuisine, Hispanic and Latino culture is vibrant and rich. Its many influences shaped the United States from the earliest days of European colonization as different groups of people, including Africans and Indigenous people, sought freedom and built new ways of life. Over time, these distinct groups merged to create unique Latino culture.
As the United States expanded, Hispanics served in military and civilian roles to advance the nation’s mission of democracy, equality and opportunity. Their courage and valor stand as a testament to the values of the American dream.
The National Park Service (Open external link) celebrates the rich Hispanic and Latino heritage with essays, resources and activities for National Hispanic Heritage Month. Their Hispanic and Latino Heritage Theme Study, available in English and Spanish, explores a variety of topics, eras and locations throughout the country.
Hispanics have shaped the United States and continue to shape its future. They are inventors, artists, authors, leaders in business and politics, and the stewards of our natural resources. Learn about their stories and celebrate their accomplishments through these interactive activities for kids, teens and adults.
There are also many ways to honor Hispanic Heritage Month in your classroom. Use these classroom activities, downloadable resources and games to help students understand the importance of celebrating diversity in our society.
Use the Historias de Resistencia (Histories of Resistance) series from PBS to teach about some of the many Hispanic and Latino activists, leaders and pioneers who fought for civil rights, economic justice and other social causes. Students can watch a documentary on Mexican artist Frida Kahlo or visit her home, La Casa Azul, a virtual museum that can be explored from anywhere.
The Hispanic Heritage Month virtual exhibition from the Library of Congress features a variety of educational resources, including bilingual resources, stories about Latino achievements, and a timeline of events in Latino history. The Library of Congress also offers access to many National Archives resources that highlight Hispanic and Latino history, including oral histories, historic maps, and documents related to immigration, the American Civil War and the United States’ territorial expansion.