Since 1988, America has celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month every September 15 to October 15. Do you know why or how it came to be? Keep on reading to find out!

Why the September 15 Start Date?

There’s actually a good reason for Hispanic Heritage Month starting in the middle of the month: it’s an independence day for five different countries. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua all celebrate their independence anniversary on September 15 and a couple other Latin countries–Mexico, Chile and Belize–celebrate shortly after.

Other Fun Hispanic Heritage Month History Facts

  • It began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week. President Ronald Reagan signed a bill extending it to a full 30-day period in 1988.
  • Hispanic Heritage Month was initiated to recognize the many contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States.
  • It also includes celebrating the long history of Hispanic and Latino influence, starting all the way back to the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus in 1492.

Some Notable Hispanic Historical Figures

We have many Hispanic and Latino Americans to thank for their contributions. Below are Bio Cards provided by Primavera Online High School. Click on them for a fun educational experience on just a few Hispanic Historic Figures.

Three Ways You Can Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

There are several ways to get in the spirit of Hispanic Heritage! Here are a couple of our recommendations:

1. Read up on some history!

One of the best ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month is simply to become educated on the topic. Whether it’s delving into the lives of important figures or learning more about a country’s history, learning can truly be the best way to celebrate the month.


You can start by watching this educational video on Pancho Villa:

Or check out this article to learn more about the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC).

2. Attend an Event Near You

From Diamondbacks special games to Tempe Fiestas, there are a lot of community events happening throughout Arizona to attend! You can check them out in this blog post.

3. Try Some New Things

Maybe head to an authentic restaurant, try a new recipe or discover some music. You never know where you’ll find that next new thing you love!