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Why does it begin on September 15th? The story behind Hispanic Heritage Month
Communities will mark the month with art, music, food and programs honoring Hispanic Americans, whose population reached 70.1 million in 2026, the Census said.
- On Tuesday, National Hispanic Heritage Month officially began, running through Oct. and highlighting the contributions of Hispanic Americans, the nation's largest racial or ethnic minority.
- President Ronald Reagan signed the law expanding the observance on Aug. 17, 1988, with Sept. 15 chosen as a tribute to 'El Grito de Dolores,' a call to battle issued in Mexico's war for independence.
- The Hispanic population reached 70.1 million in 2026, accounting for 21% of the total U.S. population. Communities celebrate through varied approaches, from supporting Hispanic-owned businesses to attending museum events and performances.
- Created by the federal government for Spanish-speaking cultures, the Hispanic label distinguishes from Latino, though a person can be both; Spaniards are considered Hispanic but not Latinos since they are European.
- Labor history professor Paul Ortiz of Cornell University noted festivities spotlight interconnected struggles of Latin and Caribbean nations, while The State of Hispanic Wealth Report encourages greater investment in Hispanic businesses and communities.
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Why does it begin on September 15th? The story behind Hispanic Heritage Month
FILE – National flags from Latin American countries are displayed on the field during a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month before an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sept. 22, 2024.
·Los Angeles, United States
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Total News Sources11
Leaning Left10Leaning Right0Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution100% Left
Bias Distribution
- 100% of the sources lean Left
100% Left
L 100%
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