How did Hispanic Heritage Month come about?

President Lyndon Johnson recognized the first Hispanic Heritage Week by celebrating and recognizing the achievements and contributions of Americans whose ancestries traced to Spain or any of a number of Latin American countries. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded Hispanic Heritage Week to Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th through October 15th. These dates coincide with independence anniversaries for more than half a dozen Latin American nations, as well as Dia de la Raza.

To learn more about Hispanic Heritage Month, check out the Library of Congress' online exhibit.