Unique Ways to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 is just around the corner. Are you ready to celebrate this historical month?

Hey there! September 15th kicks off Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrating Hispanic and Latino Americans’ histories, cultures, and contributions. President Lyndon Johnson first proclaimed this celebratory period in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week, which was expanded to a whole month under President Ronald Reagan twenty years later.

Hispanic Heritage Month always starts on September 15, coinciding with the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. It ends on October 16, which marks the anniversary of the U.S. gaining independence from Spain in 1821.

Throughout the month, from September 15 to October 15, the National Archives and Records Administration and Library of Congress team up to promote historical and cultural documents relating to Hispanic/Latino heritage. There are also tons of festivals, parades, and community gatherings held nationwide, especially in areas with big Hispanic/Latino populations like Miami, Los Angeles, and my hometown of San Juan in Puerto Rico!

I look forward to celebrating this year and learning more about Hispanic communities’ rich cultures and diversity. Stay tuned for more posts sharing critical historical events, interesting facts, and ways to join the festivities!

National Museum of the American Latino

The Smithsonian Institution is building a new museum in Washington, D.C., that will honor the rich heritage of Latinos across the Americas. Called The National Museum of the American Latino, it will be a place to celebrate and explore Hispanic and Latino contributions to American history and culture. As Latinos across all backgrounds – including Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban American, and more – have shaped the story of America, this museum will spotlight various aspects of Latino art, music, business, science, and political impact. Showcasing the wide range of Latino heritage and accomplishments promotes appreciation for the shared and diverse experiences of American Latino identity. The National Museum of the American Latino will be an inspiring tribute to how Hispanic heritage is deeply interwoven into the fabric of American heritage.

Unique ideas to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month are:

Host a Hispanic-inspired lunch Party

Why not celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in style? 

In the spirit of inclusivity, you should invite everyone (friends, family, and colleagues) to a Hispanic-inspired lunch party at your residence or place of choice. Chances are your friends and colleagues will appreciate and welcome your efforts.

Pick a weekend or Friday afternoon and let everyone bring a Hispanic-inspired dish to share. With so many delicious dishes from this vibrant culture, the party will be full of colorful dishes and cuisine to try. 

Donate to the Community or Hispanic Nonprofits

Not a fan of parties? Why not follow a noble course and donate to the community and/or Hispanic nonprofits?

Hispanic and Latinx have long been the foundation of communities across the country. You can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by donating to nonprofit organizations that understand the needs of Hispanic and Latinx communities.

Organizations like RAICES—a Texas-based nonprofit that provides legal services to underserved immigrant refugees, families, and children—are at the forefront of the immigration issues and are actively working to help those in need. 

You could also donate to Hispanic nonprofits, like CPLC, which aims to eradicate discrimination in Latino and Spanish-speaking communities. 

Take a Latin Dance Class

Love dancing? Learn a few Latin dance moves during Hispanic Heritage Month!

Gather a couple of friends to learn the fast pulse of the Cha Cha dance or grab a partner to learn the slow movements of Bachata. In-person and virtual classes are available for beginners, depending on your location. 

Dancing can be an excellent way to get active and release stress. You could invite your friends to a video call to learn together or sign up for an in-person class together. You might want to choose a Friday evening when people are naturally excited about the weekend. 

Get Crafty

Hispanic Heritage Month is a great time to get creative. 

Art is important because it promotes expression and creativity. It helps us draw a clearer picture of history while reminding us of our heritage. 

But you can’t speak about Latin American arts without mentioning Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Diego Rivela, or Frida Kahlo. If you’re feeling particularly creative, you could try recreating a favorite painting by one of these artists or create your own.. 

Offer Gifts

Don’t celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month alone. Spread the love to your loved ones and colleagues with gifts to show how much you appreciate them. 

Gift-giving is an act of self-gratification. 

Gifting creates stronger connections and helps us feel good about ourselves. You don’t have to splurge on gifts. As the wise say, “it’s the thought that counts.” A simple gift such as a Mexican hot chocolate protein bar can do the trick. 

If your friends are foodies, Salsa Verde Cactus Tortilla Chips or Organic Cold-Pressed Tropical Escape Juice will make their mouths watery. 

For corporate gifts, SnackMagic is the best option as it can fuel focus and productivity, all while fostering feelings of employee appreciation and delightful surprise. SnackMagic offers highly customizable features, including notes inside boxes, digital branding experiences, and swag options. Plus, the company has tasty treats for every dietary preference. 

Listen to some Spanish or Latino Podcasts

Podcasts are an excellent way to entertain yourself and learn new things in the process. 

Some, such as News in Slow Spanish, present an opportunity to improve your Spanish-speaking skills. Others, such as Latinx Therapy, hosted by Adriana Alejandre, LMFT, offer healthy living tips that center on Latinx communities. 

Interesting Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month Facts

• Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th to October 15th every year.
• President Lyndon B. Johnson built the foundation of Hispanic Heritage Month’s celebration in 1968 by performing a week-long ceremony. It was expanded to a month-long celebration in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan.
• The celebration recognizes and honors the contributions of the Hispanic American community to the history, culture, and society of the United States.
• Five Latin American countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua – celebrate their independence on September 15th every year. While two other LATAM countries – Mexico and Chile – celebrate their independence day on September 16th and September 18th.
• National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers has decided on a new theme for the yearly Hispanic Heritage Month celebration.
• As of 2020, the US Hispanic population was 62.57 million.
• Famous Hispanic Americans include Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Sonia Sotomayor, Ellen Ochoa, Rita Moreno, and Lin-Manuel Miranda, among many others.
• Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated with parades, festivals, concerts, art exhibits, and other cultural events throughout the United States.
• An entire month dedicated to honoring and exploring Hispanic and Latinx cultures means there’s so much time to try new things. We’ve rounded up a few exciting things to do in this celebratory month. But first…

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month is an excellent way to honor the impactful ways Hispanic people living in America have contributed to US history. Become the day’s hero by celebrating this heritage month with your friends, donating to a noble cause, or gifting one of the abovementioned presents. 

Without further ado, here’s how to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and activities for the celebration.

What is the difference between Hispanic American and Latinx heritage?

The terms Hispanic American and Latinx heritage overlap in meaning but have some distinctions. Hispanic American refers to people living in the United States who trace their roots to Spanish-speaking countries. Latinx heritage is a more recent term for those with cultural ties to Latin America, including Brazil, Mexico, and the Caribbean.

Why is it essential that we celebrate Latinos and their culture?

Celebrating Latinos and Latino culture is essential because Latinos have made extensive contributions across all areas of American life – music, food, politics, science, arts and more. Recognizing these influences raises awareness of the diversity of the U.S. and the common threads that unite us all. Celebrations promote cultural understanding.

What do Hispanic, Latino, and Latinx mean, and how are they different?

Hispanic refers to people descending from Spanish-speaking cultures. Latino describes people from Latin American countries, including Brazilians. Latinx is a more gender-neutral term used to describe those of Latin American cultural or racial identity. The terms overlap significantly but have slightly different regional implications.

What are some ways we can celebrate Hispanic and Latino cultures this month?

There are many ways to celebrate! You can explore Hispanic/Latino art and museums, try new food, read works by Hispanic/Latino authors, listen to Latino music styles, watch films about the cultures, attend a Latin dance or festival, and more. Appreciating the cultures year-round is ideal.