09/30/2026
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 to honor the heritage, history, traditions and cultural diversity of Hispanic Americans whose ancestry is rooted in Spain and 19 countries and territories. The national observation highlights the Hispanic independence from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as a weeklong celebration under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan to cover a 30 day period and enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated mid-September to mid- October to highlight the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras on September 15. Mexico celebrates its liberation on September 16 and Chile celebrates on September 18. Indigenous Peoples Day or Dia de la Raza is celebrated in mid-October.
Hispanic Americans make up approximately 19.5% of the total U.S. population and is the fastest growing ethnic population since 2010 at a rate of about 23%. Hispanic Americans are our nation’s largest ethnic minority group. Hispanic Americans have shaped the identity of the United States during their period of immigration helping to build our nation into the world leader.
CCIOC encourages one and all to join in the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month by attending community activities and events in the coming weeks such as food festivals, concerts, movies, dance exhibitions and broadcasts designed to enrich, educate and share the enjoyment of the multiple Hispanic cultures.