Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated from September 15 to October 15, honors the rich history and vibrant culture of Hispanic and Latino communities. While we celebrate these contributions year-round, this month highlights the impact Hispanics have had on the U.S., from advocacy and art to food and tradition.
Visit the National Hispanic Heritage Month LibGuide for information and resources.
Hispanic influence in America dates back centuries, predating Spain’s colonization and playing a crucial role since the Revolutionary War. Treaties like Guadalupe Hidalgo and Paris further integrated Hispanic Americans into the U.S. Today, with over 60 million people, Latinos make up 18.9% of the U.S. population and continue to shape the nation as entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, and more.
What is the difference between Hispanic and Latino?
Hispanic and Latino both describe Americans with Latin American and Caribbean roots but have different meanings. “Latino” refers to those with ties to Latin America or the Caribbean, encompassing diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. “Hispanic” focuses on a connection to Spain or the Spanish language, including Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America and Spain. “Latino” is broader and more inclusive because it refers to people from anywhere in Latin America and the Caribbean, while Hispanic refers to people with ancestry from Spanish-speaking countries.
Web links:
- National Museum of the American Latino – View the National Museum of the American Latino’s Hispanic Heritage Month page.
- National Museum of the American Latino’s Family and Public Programs – Discover programs and events you can learn more about to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
- ¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States – Explore the historical legacies, immigration stories, identity, and cultural influences of the Latino community in this online exhibit.
- Smithsonian Institution Hispanic Heritage Month Events and Resources(link is external) – Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Smithsonian Institution! Learn about related events, resources, exhibitions, and podcasts.
- American Women’s History Museum’s Featured Latinas(link is external) – Learn about some of the remarkable Latinas who have helped shape our nation.
- ¡Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues(link is external) – Examine how the talent and experiences of Latinas and Latinos in the game of baseball have helped to shape the sport.
- The National Postal Museum’s Virtual Exhibit on Celebrating Hispanic Heritage(link is external) – Learn about some of the contributions of Hispanic people, places, and events as they have been commemorated through the American postage stamp.
- National Hispanic Heritage Month Website(link is external) – Explore Hispanic Heritage Month resources and events from the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
- Library of Congress’s Hispanic Reading Room(link is external) – Learn about this resource for researching the geographical areas of the Caribbean, Latin America, Spain, and Portugal.
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