Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month honors the history, culture and contributions of Hispanic individuals in America. Each year in the United States and Canada, Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15.
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In this article, we explore:
History of Hispanic Heritage Month
The 1960's civil rights movement propelled the voices of marginalized groups into the mainstream news and garnered the attention of Americans.
It was in this same period of change that “National Hispanic Heritage Week” was first born in the USA.
In 1968, Congressman George Brown, a representative of the Los Angeles community, proposed an annual celebration of the Hispanic community.
Later in 1968, legislation to establish Hispanic Heritage Week was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Proclamation 3869 was signed in September 1968 as “National Hispanic Heritage Week”. Two decades later, the event was extended to a full month.
In 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed into law legislation that would expand Hispanic Heritage Week to a month (September 15 to October 15).
On September 14, 1989, National Hispanic Heritage Month was first proclaimed by President George H. W. Bush.
đź’ˇHispanic Heritage Month has grown from an idea in 1968 to a month long event celebrated by millions every year.
Why is Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrated in September?
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15 to October 15 due to the numerous independence day anniversaries that fall during that time.
September 15 represents the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. These Latin American nations declared independence from Spain on September 15, 1821.
September 16 and September 18 represent the anniversary of independence for Mexico and Chile, respectively. Both nations declared independence from Spain in 1810.
September 21 represents the anniversary of independence for Belize. This country established independence from Great Britain on September 21, 1981.
Facts about Hispanic Heritage in the USA
The number of Hispanic families in the USA has tripled from 1990 from 5 million to 15 million today.
The U.S. Hispanic population reached 60.6 million in 2019, up from 50.7 million in 2010.
People of Hispanic origin are over 18% of the population in the USA, making them the are the largest ethnic minority.
Influential Hispanic Figures in American History
Cesar Chavez - Chavez was a civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his work.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - Ocasio-Cortez is a politician and vocal activist serving as the Representative for New York.
Sylvia Rivera - Rivera was a drag queen known for her activism for gay and transgender rights. She participated in the 1969 Stonewall riots.
Ellen Ochoa - Ochoa was the first Hispanic American woman to go to space, and is the former director of the Johnson Space Center.
Sonia Sotomayor - Sotomayor is the first Hispanic American to serve as a member of the Supreme Court.
Dolores Huerta - Huerta is a civil rights activist who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association.
Examples of Companies that Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Google commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month by dedicating their Google Doodle to well known people from the Hispanic community and highlights Latin-American artists.
During Hispanic Heritage Month in 2022, Pepsi and their Hispanic Employee Resource Group, Adelante, announced a partnership with LNEC to support digital literacy in Hispanic communities.
Both Walmart and Target celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by featuring Latin-American owned brands and showcasing special product lists in their stores.
12 Ways to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at Work
Workshops, Training and Panel Discussions are great ways to both educate and engage your team at work. Inviting speakers with lived experiences can be positive & interactive, while still educational for the entire organization.
Visual displays and decorations convey to your Hispanic team members that the organization is proud of their identities and their work.
Trivia and quizzes are both a fun and accessible team event that your entire organization can join in-person or remotely. It can be a small part of an overall event or be the weekly centerpiece of a month-long celebration.
Whether your workplace is big or small, commemorating Hispanic Heritage Month by organizing a potluck lunch encourages employees to collaborate and interact with each other.
Hispanic culture is rich in music history and creates an opportunity for employees to come together, show support for the Hispanic community and engage in meaningful conversation.
Encourage employees to join local Hispanic Heritage Month Parades and events as representatives of the company. Provide branded merchandise, such as t-shirts or banners, to show solidarity and support.
Organize a film screening featuring Hispanic movies or documentaries followed by a discussion. Film has a unique way of bringing people together at all levels of an organization.
Offer broader workshops or training that focus on inclusion at the workplace, without necessarily putting Hispanic team members in the spotlight.
Advertise social events, such as happy hours or lunches where employees can come together, celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, and build stronger connections with their colleagues.
Organize and support Hispanic Employee Resource Groups within the company. Provide resources, funding and leadership support to foster their initiatives and activities.
Put a fundraiser or donation drive together to support Hispanic charities, nonprofits or local community organizations.
Games are always a cornerstone of every event. Even for those who have never played Lotería, as it is quite similar to Bingo, it’s something that everyone in your company can get behind.
Continue the Celebration
The celebration of Hispanic and Latino individuals should be year-round! The Hispanic community contributes greatly to the success of the United States, and this deserves recognition.
Moreover, the Hispanic and Latino community deserves to feel a sense of belonging. Racism, discrimination and microaggressions undermine belonging and alienate marginalized communities.
It is the responsibility of your company to support marginalized employees so that they feel comfortable bringing their authentic selves to work. Hispanic Heritage Month should be the continuation of diversity, equity and inclusion in your office, not the beginning.