UNM Anthropology department highlights Hispanic Heritage Month 2024 resources

To celebrate and highlight Hispanic Heritage Month The University of New Mexico Department of Anthropology has published a page full of resources, including UNM Hispanic organizations, Hispanic Heritage Month history, Hispanic scholars, events, research, news, videos, and Hispanic organizations, on the department website.

About Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15.

It was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402. The day of Sept. 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. Also, Día de la Raza, formerly known as Columbus Day, which is Oct. 12, falls within this 30-day period.

People who identify with the terms "Hispanic" or "Latino" are those who classify themselves in one of the specific Hispanic or Latino categories listed on the decennial census questionnaire and various Census Bureau survey questionnaires - "Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano" or "Puerto Rican" or "Cuban" - as well as those who indicate that they are "another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin."

The 2010 Census question on Hispanic origin included five separate response categories and one area where respondents could write in a specific Hispanic origin group. The first response category was intended for respondents who do not identify as Hispanic. The remaining response categories ("Mexican, Mexican Am., Chicano"; "Puerto Rican"; "Cuban"; and "another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin") and write-in answers can be combined to create the OMB category of Hispanic."

For more information on Hispanic Heritage Month, visit the Anthropology Department website.

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