Happy Hispanic Heritage Month from America’s Voice
This week kicked off national Hispanic Heritage Month, a month-long observance celebrating the culture, history, and accomplishments of the Latino communities that help make up the diverse fabric of America. And, this observance also serves as an important reminder – one that’s especially needed these days – that this community has always been here.
“The Latino presence in America spans centuries, predating Spain’s colonization of what is now part of the United States, and they have been an integral part of shaping our nation since the Revolutionary War,” said the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino. “Through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Treaty of Paris that followed the Mexican-American and Spanish-American wars, the United States gained territories in the Southwest and Puerto Rico. This incorporated the people of this area into the United States and further expanded the presence of Hispanic Americans.”
Today, nearly 63 million Latinos call the U.S. their home, making up just under 20% of the total population, according to 2023 figures from Pew Research Center. The vast majority are U.S. citizens, while most Latino immigrants in the United States have lived here for a decade or more, research shows.
But despite the fact that Latinos are deeply ingrained in our nation’s history and have been key to our continued growth – one recent study from researchers at UCLA and Cal Lutheran found that the total economic output of Latinos hit $4.1 trillion in 2023, a record high – their contributions have not been sufficiently recognized.
“A recent study found that Latino history is largely left out in high school textbooks that are used across the United States, despite the increasing percentage of Latina and Latino students,” the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino continued. “This also comes at a time when the economic output of American Latinos would rank fifth in the world if the community were an independent country. As the country continues to increase in diversity, it’s necessary for all citizens to learn more about American Latino experiences to recognize and value the many contributions Latinas and Latinos have made.”
Prominent voices in Congress and the states have been doing their part to ensure these contributions are being recognized throughout the month. “In 1570, Spanish explorers established a settlement where the James and York rivers met,” Rep. Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) wrote at Bluesky. “Since then, Hispanic heritage continued to influence Virginia — even if those stories went untold.”
In Illinois, communities kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month with a Support Latino Businesses Day. In his official proclamation recognizing Hispanic Heritage Month, Gov. JB Pritzker noted the contributions of the state’s 152,000 Latino-owned businesses, which generated nearly $25 billion in revenue in 2022. “Illinois celebrates the significant cultural and economic contributions Latino communities and Latino-owned businesses make, the jobs they help create, and the positive impact they bring to communities across our state and beyond,” Gov. Pritzker said.
“From serving in the military to starting small businesses to teaching as educators, Hispanic Americans have contributed so much to the success of our country and the broader American story,” wrote New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy. “Our Latino community makes California great, period,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said in his Hispanic Heritage Month message. “We wouldn’t be where we are, and we wouldn’t be who we are, without you.”
@cagovernorLatinos are fundamental to California’s history, culture, and greatness. Latino Heritage Month is a chance to acknowledge the fact that California’s story doesn’t exist without yours — and to celebrate the grit, joy, and dreams that Latinos contribute to our beautiful state. — — — Los latinos son una base fundamental para la historia, la cultura y la grandeza de California. El Mes de la Herencia Latina es una oportunidad para reconocer el hecho de que la historia de California no existe sin la tuya, y para celebrar la determinación, la alegría y los sueños que los latinos aportan a nuestro hermoso estado.
Of course, that truly applies to the entire country as well. “From entertainment and sports to business and science, Latinas and Latinos enrich our society,” as the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino noted.
In just a few examples, approximately half a million Latinos defended the U.S. during World War II, with 13 Latino service members subsequently earning the Medal of Honor, the highest decoration in the U.S. Armed Forces. In 1966, labor leaders Dolores Huerta and César Chávez cofounded what would become United Farm Workers, which continues to advocate for the skilled workers who feed us every single day and sustain the agricultural industry. In 1993, Dr. Ellen Ochoa, a granddaughter of Mexican immigrants, became the first Latina to go to space. She later served as the first Latina director, and the second woman director, of the Johnson Space Center. And in 2009, Judge Sonia Sotomayor became the first Hispanic to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.
The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Latino’s page has a wide array of resources for folks looking for ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, including recipes, art, and educational resources. Local communities are also holding their own celebrations, including in San Antonio, Texas, Colorado Springs, Colorado, Detroit, Michigan, New York, New York, the San Francisco Bay Area, and many other cities. And, the Aquí: The Accountability Movement is also urging folks to “Buy Latino,” making participating in Hispanic Heritage Month as easy as going to a local market for some tasty buys.
We’ll be lifting up celebrations and other related content through the observance, so make sure to follow America’s Voice at Bluesky and our blog to keep up with the latest – and happy Hispanic Heritage Month!