How To Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2023

What’s the story?

• Friday, Sept. 15, 2023, marked the first day of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration of the significant histories, cultures, and contributions of people of Spanish, Mexican, Caribbean, and Central and South American descent in America.
• Initially beginning as “Hispanic Heritage Week” in 1968, it was later extended to a month and signed into law in 1988. This year, the White House released a proclamation recognizing the historic month, stating:

“I call upon all Americans to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs that celebrate Hispanic heritage and recognize the impact Hispanic peoples have had on our Nation.”

• The debate over the appropriate use of the identifiers Hispanic, Latinx, and Latino/a has spread amongst social media and community conversations in recent times, but the underlying message of this nationally recognized month remains. 
• The theme for 2023 is “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One.”  Read on for various ways you can learn about and participate this month (and any time of the year). 

Educate Yourself

• An important aspect of Heritage Months is raising awareness. How much of Hispanic / Latinx history, culture, and politics do you know about? Here are just a few resources to get started.
• Check out the National Hispanic American Heritage Month 2023 site, hosted by the Library of Congress. There, you can find exhibits, collections, videos, events, courses, and workshops that will educate and inspire you.
• The Smithsonian Latino Center hosts a variety of educational resources for and about Hispanic / Latinx communities. Learn about Latinx history in the U.S., explore virtual exhibits, or plan an in-person visit to the newly opened Latino Gallery.
• History.com offers a vast collection of histories, articles, and photos.
• Read a book written by a Hispanic / Latinx author. Check out these lists compiled by the LA Times, Penguin Random House, the D.C. Public Library, the New York Public Library, and Oprah Daily.   
• Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is offering a curated collection of films to watch this month. In addition, you can stream the 36th annual Hispanic Heritage Awards on Sept. 29 here.

Events and resources

• New York City - The New York Public Library is hosting a range of free events for all ages, along with multilingual reading recommendations, research resources, and more. Find more of their events and resources here.
• Los Angeles - Check out the LA County Library calendar of events.
• Miami - Miami has a packed calendar of events and parades that you can check out here.
• Chicago - Chicago is hosting several parades, performances, and educational events.
• Boston - Boston has tons of events scheduled all month. Check out the Boston Globe for a comprehensive list.
• Texas - Cities and universities across Texas have planned out events throughout the month. Check out events in San Antonio, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and the University of Texas at Austin.
• Events and programs, both virtual and in-person, are likely happening in your local community, too, so make sure to look for ways you can celebrate and get involved closer to home. If you can’t attend an event in your area, support a local Hispanic / Latinx-owned business!

Will you recognize and celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month this year?

-Casey Dawson, Emma Kansiz, & Jamie Epstein