Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual celebration honoring the culture, influence, contributions, and achievements made by the Hispanic and Latine community. Bridging two months - September 15 and October 15 - might seem unusual for a month-long observance, but there is meaning behind it.

The History Behind Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month

Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month started out as only a week-long celebration when it was first officially observed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. The week is significant because it coincides with the independence days of several Latin American countries: September 15 is the independence day of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. September 16, 18, and 21 are the independence days for Mexico, Chile, and Belize.

Hispanic Heritage Week would be celebrated as a month nearly two decades later. In 1987, Representative Esteban Torres of California submitted a bill proposing the week be extended to a full 31 days. He explained, “We want the public to know that we share a legacy with the rest of the country, a legacy that includes artists, writers, Olympic champions, and leaders in business, government, cinema, and science.” Unfortunately, Torres’ bill “died” in committee, but a similar bill was later submitted by Senator Paul Simon of Illinois and passed on August 17, 1988 by President Ronald Reagan, thus extending the duration of the observance. Every president since then has officially recognized Hispanic Heritage Month.

What’s the Difference Between Hispanic and Latino/Latinx/Latine?

There is a lot of contention and misunderstanding around how the Hispanic and Latine communities identify as a group. The word "Hispanic" generally refers to people from Spanish-speaking countries in Latin America. The word "Latino" generally refers to a person from Latin America. There’s lots of overlap between these two identities, but the primary distinction is that one mostly has to do with language and the other, with geography. Additionally, there are some who question and/or do not identify with terms like Hispanic or Latinx because it’s often exclusionary of Indigenous and Afro-Latin people (something to be mindful of when looking for people and groups to support!)

As society pushes towards more inclusive language, a gender-neutral word for Latino and Latina was coined — Latinx. This word has been met with some resistance, however, as it's been criticized for defying “the basic rules of Spanish pronunciation”. Latine is another term some prefer over Latinx, as it uses a gender-neutral “e” at the end, a concept already native to the language and more natural for Spanish-speaking people. Ultimately, everyone has their own reasons for how they choose to identify. It’s always a good idea to ask a person what their preference is.

10 Ways to Celebrate Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month

Here are some activities you can participate in during Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month:

1. Learn About the Cultures and Histories of Hispanic and Latine People

Hispanic and Latine are umbrella terms, and while there are many shared commonalities that connect them, they aren’t a monolith — Latin America encompasses many countries and territories, all rich with their own culture and history. Additionally, those who grow up in the US have experiences that differ from people who still live in the country of their family’s origin.

TL;DR, these terms don’t fully capture the breadth of the community it’s used to define, but this month is the perfect time to celebrate the beautiful array of cultures, history, and people part of it.

Many of the actions on this list are not only ways to celebrate but can be an avenue for learning more — watching movies and shows, reading literature, listening to a podcast, or paying a visit to a museum — simply try the one (or few) that resonate with you.

2. Support Latine and Hispanic Causes

One of the most direct ways to lift up any community is to support causes that help them. Support can take the shape of donating to people and organizations rallying around causes important to the community, or simply raising awareness of those things to friends and family.

The organization we decided to highlight and raise money for Hispanic Heritage Month is Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF), an organization empowering students and parents with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education. HSF provides support services and scholarships to as many exceptional students, HSF Scholars and Alumni as possible, and continues to be one of the most reputable non-profit organizations in the U.S.

Here are a handful of other organizations we recommend looking into and supporting:

• Techqueria - Empowers Latinx professionals with what they need to become leaders in the tech industry.
• Latinas in Tech - Aims to connect, support, and empower Latina women working in tech.
• Hispanic Federation - Empowers and advances the Hispanic community, supports Hispanic families, and strengthens Latino institutions through work in the areas of education, health, immigration, civic engagement, economic empowerment, & the environment.
• Hispanic Heritage Foundation - Identifies, inspires, prepares, and connects Latino Leaders in the community, classroom, and workforce.

3. Watch Movies and Shows Made by or Featuring Latine and Hispanic People

From binge-worthy sitcoms like Ugly Betty to emotional dramas like Pose or educational documentaries like The Cuba Libre Story, there’s plenty to choose from — it just depends on what you’re into. Streaming services like Netflix and Hulu make it easy, having Latinx and Hispanic movies as a genre and even providing curated results for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Some noteworthy Latino directors in entertainment include Alejandro G. Iñarritu, Pablo Larraín and of course, Guillermo del Toro. IGN's Latin American team notes how each of these directors brings their own uniqueness to cinema; from Iñarritu's ambitious style in Birdman to Larraín's famous biopics like Jackie, to Guillermo del Toro's stunning animation, the presence of these three directors in the film industry are quite notable, especially at the film festivals like Berlin, Cannes or Venezia.

4. Support Hispanic and Latine-Owned Small Businesses

During the pandemic, Latine-owned businesses were hit hard. Buying from and spreading the word about your favorite Hispanic and Latine-owned small businesses is a great way to put money back into the community, especially if you’re shopping locally.

5. Read Pieces and Books Written by Hispanic and Latine People

Whether it’s classics like The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros or books from up-and-coming authors like Elizabeth Acevedo, diving into a story told from the lens of a Latine writer can help widen your own perspective. Bonus points if you buy a book from a Latine-owned bookstore.

Also, stay tuned for four new features celebrating and elevating Hispanic voices throughout Hispanic Heritage Month right here, from Sept 22-Oct 15.

6. Check out a Podcast Featuring Hispanic and Latine People

Many Hispanic and Latine people have found their voice with podcasts, some speaking about the issues affecting Latin American countries and territories, and others talking about things they enjoy, like art, history, gaming, music, and more. In any case, there are so many podcasts featuring Latine folks to choose from nowadays, you’re sure to find something that piques your interest.

7. Check out Hispanic and Latine Streamers

Much like podcasts, streaming has become another popular avenue for Latine people to express themselves, oftentimes showcasing their talents and/or building a community around a shared interest. With all the new tags recently added to Twitch, it’s easier than ever before to find a new streamer to watch. And with all the hate raids currently plaguing the platform, many streamers from marginalized communities could use the support right now.

8. Explore and Listen to Latin Music

Music is an important staple of Latine and Hispanic culture and there are so many different styles worth exploring like Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia, Reggaeton, and many more. The best part is, it’s pretty easy to find a playlist dedicated to these genres of music. Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube Music are great places to start.

9. Check Out Hispanic and Latine Art

Whether it’s checking out the many museums dedicated to Latin American art or buying a new print or painting from a Latine artist, art is another cultural staple that can be enjoyed this month. Hashtags such as #afrolatinxscreate, #latinxcreate, and #latinescreate make it easier than ever before to find artists to support.

10. Cook a Latin Dish

Cooking is a great way to try and get familiar with the variety of delicious traditional foods that come from various Latin American countries. Don’t limit yourself to what you already know — dip into different cuisines like Dominican, Peruvian, Argentinian, Colombian, Mexican, Puerto Rican, and more. You won’t regret it!

Remember — these activities aren’t limited to Latine and Hispanic Heritage Month. We can do our best to show our support and uplift minority voices all year round.