Hispanic Heritage Month began as Hispanic Heritage week under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was expanded to a full month under President Reagan in 1988.

The September 15th beginning of Hispanic Heritage month marks the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Independence in Mexico, Chile, and Belize, as well as Columbus Day are also celebrated during this month-long festivities.

The term Hispanic refers to people from Spain, Mexico, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean and Central and South America. Hispanics are the largest ethnic minority in the United Sates with over 46 million people identifying themselves as Hispanic in the latest Census poll. People of Hispanic or Latino heritage have lived continuously in the United States since the Spanish founded St. Augustine, Florida in 1565. Since that time, the United States has been influenced by successful Hispanic painters, musicians, scientists, activists, and actors, to name a few. Even many U.S. place names are derived from the Spanish language - Los Angeles, San Antonio, Santa Fe etc.