National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15th to October 15th. The first national celebration of Hispanic heritage was National Hispanic Heritage Week, which began in 1968 under President Johnson. In his , President Johnson noted, “Several of our States and many of our cities proudly bear Hispanic names and continue Hispanic traditions that enrich our national life. ” The celebration was expanded into a full month by President Regan in 1988. The choice to have this month celebrated over these dates instead of a traditional month was intentional, as it aligns with the independence days of several Central American countries.
The (NCHEPM) leads the process of selecting an annual theme each year. This theme is chosen from community submissions and is used by federal agencies, organizations, and schools observing Hispanic Heritage Month. This year, they have selected the theme “Collective Heritage: Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future.” In honor of this theme, we are celebrating the legacy of Hispanic American innovators throughout history and highlighting modern-day players.
Honoring the Past
Puerto Rican, was the . Despite facing discrimination at the beginning of his career, Roberto played 18 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, winning 12 Gold Gloves, two World Series, and a league MVP award. Off the baseball diamond, Roberto served in the US Marine Corps and was a dedicated humanitarian who died attempting to deliver supplies to Nicaragua after a devastating earthquake.
Army Staff Sgt. was the first Mexican immigrant to receive the Medal of Honor, serving as a non-citizen during World War II. Garcia was injured on D-Day and again after returning to his unit on the front lines in Germany. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, and Combat Infantryman’s Badge by President Truman in 1935.
was the first Hispanic American to have a professional role in the National Park Service. He played an essential role in establishing the management and protection of the parks’ wildlife and funded this project himself from 1928 until it was adopted into the budget in 1931.
Inspiring the Future
identifies as both Puerto Rican and Mexican. As a songwriter, actor, producer, and director, most known for his work on Broadway’s Hamilton and Disney’s Moana, Miranda has received the Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Awards.
became the first Hispanic and Latina Justice to serve on the United States Supreme Court in 2009. She is a graduate of Yale Law, where she served as editor of the Yale Law Journal, and has served as the Assistant District Attorney in New York County, as a Justice to the US District Court, and the Court of Appeals. With backing from both President George H.W. Bush and President Obama, Sotomayor has received political appointments from both sides of the aisle.
was born in Venezuela before moving to New York to start what would become one of the world’s most iconic fashion houses. Herrera has created gowns for the likes of Jackie and Caroline Kennedy, Laura Bush, Tina Fey, and Taylor Swift. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America in 2008 and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation’s 2024 Hispanic Heritage Award for Fashion.