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Hispanic Heritage Month, also known as Latinx Heritage Month, is a month-long celebration from September 15 through October 15. These dates were selected to incorporate the independence days of Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. Latinx Heritage Month recognizes the legacies and contributions of individuals who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean. 

More than 62 million Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx Americans live in the United States. There are many Hispanic Americans who made their mark on history, including Rita Moreno, Cesar Chavez, Roberto Clemente, Jennifer Lopez, Ellen Ochoa, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and Dolores Huerta, to name a few. Notable Afro-Latino Americans include Arturo Schomburg, Celia Cruz, Carlos Russell, Julia De Burgos, among others.

What’s the difference between Hispanic and Latino and Latinx?

• ±á¾±²õ±è²¹²Ô¾±³¦ÌýrefersÌýto people from Spanish-speaking countries once colonized by Spain (Hispanicized) and Spain itself. This includes Mexico, most of South and Central America, and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean.ÌýÌý
• ³¢²¹³Ù¾±²Ô´ÇÌýis shorthand for the Spanish and Portuguese word.ÌýIt broadly unites all countries in Latin America (South America, Central America, the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, and Mexico), including Brazil, to create a shared cultural identity.
• Latinx (and Latine)ÌýfurtherÌýexpandsÌýupon Latino as a gender-neutral version of the term.

Hispanic Heritage Month Events

Participate in a parade this month:

• Mexican Independence Day ParadeÌý– September 14, Staten Island
• Mexican Day ParadeÌý–Ìý September 21, Manhattan
• Hispanic Day ParadeÌý– September 21, Queens
• Carnaval de la Cultura LatinaÌý– September 21, Queens

Or catch an event at the , which is hosting a full calendar of free events for all ages, including crafts for children, a Frida Kahlo painting class, exhibits, and more.