Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) is celebrated annually from September 15-October 15 to acknowledge Americans' history, culture, and contributions whose ancestry can be traced to Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and Spain. In the United States, there are approximately 58.5 million people who have ancestries connected to these countries, yet they reside in the United States. Many labels are used for these groups, with the most common umbrella terms being “Hispanic” and “Latina/o/x.”
Since 1968, HHM has been recognized by the federal government and celebrated across the United States. The start of the month, September 15th, is significant, as several Latin American countries celebrate their independence from Spain on this day, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence during September 16th and 18th, respectively. Each year, the Center for Intercultural Advancement and LatinX Student-led group will lead a series of cultural, educational, social, and advocacy events for the Wagner College community.