With more than 65 million people identifying as Hispanic in the United States, it’s no surprise that this month is National Hispanic Heritage Month. The annual tradition is an opportunity to celebrate the awe-inspiring diversity and culture of Hispanic people in our country. It is also an occasion to educate about the rich and varied contributions that Latinos and Hispanic Americans have made across the nation’s history, from exploration to music to food and more.
While many organizations and individuals use the terms Hispanic and Latino interchangeably, they are different labels with different meanings. The distinctions between Hispanic and Latino are cultural, not racial, and should not be used to impose one label on another person. Instead, it is best to let a person choose the term they prefer.
For example, Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to teach students about famous Latinos like Frida Kahlo and her home, La Casa Azul (literally the Blue House). Or you can explore a virtual museum of Colombian cuisine at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino. NEH-funded resources such as the documentary series “Latino Americans” and the online resource collection, Latinos in America, are great places to begin exploring these cultures.
Likewise, the work of preservation agencies such as the Department of the Interior is vital to our nation’s Hispanic and Latino communities. The historic sites that the Bureau of Land Management and the National Park Service preserve and interpret in communities throughout the country connect people of Hispanic descent to our shared national heritage. From the ruins of ancient cities to the sites where Spanish colonizers first settled in the Americas, these sites tell a complex story about the interactions among Indigenous, European, and African people that continue to shape our culture.
As the country becomes more diverse, it is important to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and learn more about the vibrant traditions that people from Latin America have contributed to our nation. It is also crucial to recognize that these experiences and histories are part of a larger shared American experience, as illustrated by the fact that the first Hispanic Heritage Month was celebrated during a time when the nation was still reeling from the Civil Rights Movement.
The more we understand and share these stories, the more we can all benefit from the richness of our country’s multi-ethnic, multicultural fabric.
Hispanic Heritage Month runs through Oct. 15. To celebrate, check out the collection of resources on Newsela Social Studies.
To learn more about National Hispanic Heritage Month, see this video from Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.
Explore the full collection of NEH resources on Hispanic heritage and culture.
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re highlighting Latino and Latina women who have contributed to our society. They’re inspiring and influential, from the Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to acclaimed artist Frida Kahlo. They’ve shaped the world of sports, from baseball to soccer to tennis. And they’ve inspired the music of our country, from salsa to boleros and more.