The United States has never been shaped by a single culture or tradition. Its identity has developed through the experiences, ideas and creativity of people from around the world. Hispanic and Latino communities are an essential part of that continuing story.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15. What began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 became a 30-day national observance in 1988.
The influence of Hispanic and Latino communities can be found throughout American life. It is present in our language, visual/performing arts, architecture and food. It can be seen in agriculture, business, education, science, public service and the movements that have expanded civil and labor rights. These contributions are not additions to the American experience, they are part the foundation.
There is no single Hispanic identity. Hispanic and Latino heritage encompasses many countries, races, languages and traditions. It includes Indigenous, African, European, Asian and mixed cultural backgrounds. Some families have lived in what is now the United States for centuries, while others arrived more recently. Each community brings its own history, and every individual has the right to define their own identity.
Explore at the Library
- Stories spanning generations
- Poetry shaped by migration and memory
- Fantasy novels inspired by regional folklore
- Bilingual books
- Hispanic and Latino filmmakers
- Music from across the Americas
- Historical archives about the people who shaped their communities
Hispanic Heritage Month offers an opportunity to look more closely at the country we share. America is not a finished recipe or a culture with a single origin. It is an evolving story, strengthened by the many people who continue to write it. Click here for related events.
