Hispanic Heritage Month begins on Sept. 15 for a meaningful reason: the date marks the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
The celebrations continue with Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 16 and Chile’s on Sept. 18, making mid-September an especially significant period in Latin American history.
The monthlong observance continues through Oct. 15, a period that also includes Oct. 12. In many Spanish-speaking countries and communities, Oct. 12 has historically been recognized as Día de la Raza, or “Day of the Race,” while in the United States the date is increasingly observed as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Together, these dates help explain why Hispanic Heritage Month spans two months on the calendar, creating an opportunity to recognize the histories, cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities across the Americas.
