Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) is honored every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, celebrating Hispanic and Latino culture and history.
Similar to Black History Month (BHM) and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), this month is a very special four weeks for everyone who identifies as Hispanic or Latino. HHM started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson–ten years later it became Hispanic Heritage Month when Ronald Reagan was elected president.
“[HHM means to] celebrate the Hispanic culture and to bring awareness to any problems that Hispanics do face, like racism,” freshman Giselle Ricardez said.
Though most heritage months start in the beginning of the month and end the last day of the same month, HHM starts Sept. 15 and lasts to Oct. 15. This is because over two centuries ago on Sept. 15, Central America won their independence from Spain, making Sept. 15 an extremely important day for all Hispanics and Latinos.
Despite being labeled as minorities in America, Latinos and Hispanics have been very important to the country’s development. With progressions in agriculture, music and food made by the Latino and Hispanic community, the accomplishments and people are important to commemorate.
“It’s important to celebrate your culture because it’s who you are. It’s very important to know where you come from and it’s one’s responsibility to pass it on to future generations,” Spanish teacher Sr. Lozano said.
Family tends to be a major source of every Hispanic’s identity, often symbolizing protection and safety.
“I am very family oriented. In the Hispanic/Mexican culture family gatherings are very important and they include the whole family, not just immediate family members. And families always find a reason just to get together,” Sr. Lozano said.
HHM is celebrated in tons of ways, and each family has traditions they celebrate that’s often personal to their family.
“My mom always put up these pictures and frames of my dad’s [Hispanic] relatives and then she’d put food around them, it was really a fun tradition we did every year for the day of the dead,” freshman Yael Garcia said. “We would enjoy the day with Mexican music, Mexican games, if we can, we’ll get the family all together and then we all enjoy a big meal.”
MHHS has lots of activities to celebrate HHM, like the Ballet Folklorico and the Hispanic-Latino Student Union. Be sure to follow both on Instagram @mhhs_ballet_folklorico and @mhhs_hlsu to learn more about Hispanic/Latino’s culture here at Mission Hills.