Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
September 15 to October 15

Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. We give extra recognition during this period to the many contributions made to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, popular and traditional foods, and much more.

Today, the Latino population in the United States is over 60 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population and is the largest racial or ethnic group. In Anne Arundel there are over 57,000 Hispanics/Latinos making up 9.7% of the total population (2020 census).

DID YOU KNOW? Hispanic and Latino are the two most used terms to describe Americans with Latin American and Caribbean ancestry. You may often see these terms used interchangeably, but different people understand and use these terms differently. Hispanic refers to individuals who are Spanish-speaking or have a background in a Spanish-speaking country. Latino refers to those who are from or have a background in a Latin American country. The terms “Hispanic” and “Latino” refer to ethnicity, culture, and identity. The recent popularity (and use) of the word Latinx in the U.S. presents another alternative to the contested ” Hispanic” label that proponents say also offers gender inclusivity.

Here are some ideas for you to get involved:

READ: Of Love & Shadows by Chilean novelist Isabel Allende about a love story between an editor and photographer living under the shadow of Pinochet’s dictatorship. 

WATCH:  Como Agua Para Chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate) a beautiful emotive film about a woman with a complicated romantic history who found solace in her cooking. 

VISIT: 

• The National Museum of the American Latino has an exhibit on the Latino History of the United States that helps you reexamine what you know about U.S. history by learning about Latino identity, immigration, historical legacies, and how Latinas and Latinos have shaped the nation. ¡Presente! | National Museum of the American Latino  
• The Library of Congress is celebrating Hispanic heritage with a curated exhibit from Cuban author Oscar Hijuelos until Oct 30th. Hispanic Heritage: Oscar Hijuelos | Library of Congress

TRY: Latino food traditions have long inspired American cuisine. With a rich blend of core ingredients like corn, meat, beans, and rice, the diverse flavors of traditional Latino food continue to be popular across the world. These traditional foods include: Empanadas, Arepas or chimichurri If you’d like to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month without the work of cooking, consider dining out. The growth of Latino culinary options in the United States has helped to increase the popularity of Latino cuisine.

To all our Junior League members who are part of this community “Recognize the parts of your culture that have shaped your past, and the parts you want to carry with you into the future.” Sol Peralta.  We embrace your rich and diverse cultures and all they have to offer. We hope you have found a place of belonging in JLA.

Other October Observances:

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• LGBTQIA+ History Month
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month
• World Mental Health Day – 10/10
• International Day of the Girl – 10/11
• National Coming Out Day – 10/11
• Indigenous People’s Day 10/14