On Tuesday, September 14, the San Diego Unified Board of Education passed a resolution proclaiming the month of September 15 through October 15, 2021, as National Hispanic Heritage Month.
San Diego Unified recognizes the heritage of Hispanic Americans in our schools and city, and encourages all students, staff, and San Diego families to deepen their understanding of the Latinx community by celebrating their histories, cultures and contributions.
During the Civil Rights Movement, the campaign to recognize the history, struggle, contributions, and achievements of Hispanic Americans gained traction.
In 1968, California Congressman George E. Brown introduced House Joint Resolution 1299 to commemorate the contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans, authorizing President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim the week of September 15, 1968 as the first National Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan declared September 15 through October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month.
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15th and ends on October 15th to coincide with the independence dates of five Latin American countries who declared their independence from Spain in 1821: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Hispanic Heritage Week commemorates Chile’s independence from Spain on September 18, 1810, and Mexico’s independence from Spain on September 16, 1821.
Learn More
¡Celebrando! Latinx Heritage Month: Find events, online learning resources, and reading recommendations from the San Diego Public Library
Smithsonian Events for Kids: Join the Smithsonian online for vibrant performances, read-alouds, and family activities that celebrate Hispanic heritage and help us understand our shared history.
National Hispanic Heritage Month: The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
San Diego Hispanic Heritage Experiences: Embark on an immersive exploration of how Hispanic and Latinx culture help shape San Diego with vibrant, colorful art, traditional cuisine and more.
Listen In: Siblings Iris Morales, a recent graduate of the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), and Carlos Morales, a junior at SCPA, perform "Por Una Cabeza" by Carlos Gardel, in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month.