Latinx Heritage Month celebrates the rich cultural traditions of Latinx Americans and their lasting contributions to American society. This observance, held annually from September 15 to October 15 by presidential proclamation (36 U.S. Code § 126), is a time to honor the many ways Hispanic and Latino communities have shaped—and continue to shape—our nation.
While we celebrate these communities year-round, this month gives special recognition to their extraordinary influence on American life: from powerful advocacy and vibrant art to beloved traditions in food, music, and culture. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the deep roots of Latino presence in the United States, which stretch back centuries—well before Spain’s colonization and continuing through the Revolutionary War, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, and the Treaty of Paris. Each of these moments expanded the Latino presence and cemented the integral role of Hispanic Americans in our shared history.