Hispanic Heritage Month

What began as a weeklong event in 1968 has evolved into a 30-day nationwide celebration of Hispanic Americans. Hispanic Heritage Month officially begins September 15 to coincide with the independence days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua (Mexico’s takes place September 16)—and some programming starts earlier. In NYC, the month honors the community and influence of Hispanic citizens through events like those at the New York Public Library (all month long); the Hispanic Day Parade, in Queens (September 22); a folk concert in Staten Island's Greenbelt Nature Center honoring Jose Rivera (September 21); programming and exhibitions at the Hispanic Society Museum & Library (ongoing); a Museum of Broadway exhibit that spotlights Latino and Hispanic theater contributions (through October 15); El Museo del Barrio's triennial (beginning October 10); and works by Puerto Rican photographers on display at the Bronx County Historical Society (September 12–January 26). For more, visit our Latino Experience page.