SUNY Empire Library News & Alerts

Hispanic Heritage Month

The timing of Hispanic Heritage Month coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of several Latin American nations. September 15 was chosen as the kickoff because it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of five Central American countries—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua-- which declared their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. Additionally, Mexico and Chile declared their independence from Spain on September 16 and September 18, 1810, respectively, and Belize declared its independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981.

The observation began 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. This was enacted into law on August 17, 1988 by Public Law 100-402. This year’s theme, Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One, highlights the wide range of cultures, ethnicities, and perspectives in the Hispanic community and the power of the community’s diversity.

The contributions of Hispanic Americans are myriad and impressive. Currently, our federal government boasts four Hispanic Cabinet Secretaries—Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, and Small Business Administrator Isabel Guzman. From artists like Gloria Estefan, Lin Manuel Miranda, Benicio Del Toro, and Rita Moreno to athletes like Roberto Clemente, Oscar De La Hoya, Nancy Lopez, and Gabriela Sabatini, our diverse nation has benefited from the mind-boggling talents of Latinx Americans.

Interested in learning more about the rich array of talent, activism, and leadership offered to America by its incredibly diverse Hispanic population? Please visit the library's Hispanic Heritage Month subject guide.