Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in 2018

Photo by G. Widman for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

Hispanic Heritage Month takes place every year between September 15 and October. It was on September 15, 1968, that the United States first celebrated Hispanic Heritage Week and in 1988, the celebration was expanded to a month. The dates were chosen to honor the independence movement in several Latin American nations—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate their independence on September 15; Mexico on September 16; and Chile on September 18.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Hispanic and Latino groups with the largest populations in the United States are Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Cuban.

How are you celebrating? Below you’ll find just a small portion of events happening across the country (online and in-person). It’s important to celebrate the contributions of Latinos in this country and all over the world.

• • A custom Twitter emoji!

From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing the histories, cultures, and contributions from the community. Tweeting with #HispanicHeritageMonth, #HispanicHeritage, #HHM, #LatinxImpact, and #ImpactoLatino will activate a Twitter emoji! pic.twitter.com/nfJ4t0gQG6

— Twitter Alas (@TwitterAlas) September 15, 2018

• United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (USHCC) National Convention – This is the largest gathering of Hispanic business leaders in America. Each year, USHCC bring together local Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, Hispanic business leaders, and corporate partners, to foster Hispanic economic development for greater American economy. This year’s conference is taking place September 16th through 18th at the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown.
• 31st Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards – Just last week on September 11, the Hispanic Heritage Foundation celebrated their annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. Honorees included:
  • Sister Norma Pimental – Community Service Award presented by Nationwide
  • Richard “Crazy Legs” Colon – Culture Award presented by Southwest Airlines
  • Jesse & Joy – Vision Award presented by Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino
  • Karol G – Inspira Award presented by T-Mobile
  • Mj Rodriguez – Trailblazer Award presented by Google
  • Daniel Lubetzky – Entrepreneurship Award presented by Target
  • Ingrid Hoffmann – Culinary Arts Award presented by AARP
  • Young Community Leaders – #MiVoz/#MyVoice Award by Instagram

¿Qué significa para ti ser latino? Celebramos el Mes de la Herencia Hispana con nuestra comunidad en EE.UU. ¡Comparte tu voz en Instagram! #MiVoz #MyVoice @HHFoundation #HHM pic.twitter.com/6zNWoag6AL

— Instagram en Español (@InstagramES) September 13, 2018

• 30 Days of Hispanic Heritage Stories – Culling from Billboard’s Latin charts, the most respected and longest-running charts on record, Billboard has curated 30 days of exclusive Billboard content that celebrates the best music on the Billboard charts.
• Celebra tus bellos ojos (Celebrate Your Beautiful Eyes) – As part of the observance, the National Eye Institute (NEI) is encouraging Hispanics/Latinos — especially those at higher risk for eye diseases — to learn ways to protect their eye health. NEI is also taking this opportunity to honor Hispanic/Latino researchers and eye care professionals who contribute to understanding, preventing, and treating eye diseases.
• Philadelphia celebrates! – When Philadelphia honors Hispanic Heritage Month, the city starts early. The national celebration, officially September 15 through October 15, begins a week early in Philly with Penn’s Landing’s Brazilian Day Philadelphia festival. Next up: Mexican Independence Day Festival, also on Penn’s Landing; then Building Bridges, a citywide restaurant benefit; Centro de Oro’s neighborhood-centric Feria del Barrio and the Puerto Rican Day Parade on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Throughout, the Philadelphia International Unity Cup shows off the city’s other fútbol champions.

P.S. Then there’s this.