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Recognizing
Hispanic Americans
A Large,
Fast-Growing Population
The U.S. Hispanic population is currently the largest ethnic minority group in the country, with more than 62 million people. According to Pew Research Center, in 2020, Hispanics comprised 19% of the total U.S. population. Over the past decade, from 2010 to 2020, the U.S. population grew by about 23 million and Hispanics made up 51% of that increase. As of 2019, Mexicans comprised almost nearly 62% of Hispanics in the U.S., followed by Puerto Ricans and Cubans. According to new U.S. Census Bureau population projections, the U.S. Hispanic population is expected to hit 106 million in 2050 – about double what it is today.
Pew Research also reported that more Hispanics lived in Los Angeles County than any other U.S. county with almost 5 million in 2019. However, the fastest-growing Hispanic populations can be found in North Dakota and South Dakota.
Latino or Hispanic?
Both the Hispanic and Latino communities observe Hispanic Heritage Month, united by their shared Spanish language. In fact, one of the biggest and most indelible contributions of both groups is the spread of Spanish across the U.S. Today, Spanish is spoken in 41 million – or 13% – of U.S. homes. After Mexico, the U.S. is projected to be second on the list of countries where Spanish is spoken the most. According to Forbes, one in three people in the U.S. will speak Spanish by 2050.
United by
the Spanish Language
To show your support of Hispanic Heritage Month, download a virtual meeting background at
Littler Celebrates Hispanic Heritage - 2022 | Littler Mendelson P.C.
What You
Should Know About Hispanic Heritage Month
¡Bienvenidos! Here’s what everyone should know about Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated each year between September 15 and October 15.
What is Hispanic
Heritage Month?
Even though most people use the terms “Latino” and “Hispanic” interchangeably, the terms technically apply to different groups. “Latino” refers to all people who are from or descended from Latin America and who speak Romance languages from Latin, such as Spanish, Portuguese and French. Those who speak Spanish or are descendants of Spanish speakers are considered Hispanic. This means a Mexican person is both Hispanic and Latino. Brazilians are Latino but not Hispanic (because they speak Portuguese not Spanish). Spaniards are Hispanic but not Latino.
In general, the U.S. government does not differentiate between the two groups. The term “Hispanic” was
first recognized by the government in the 1970s after it began collecting population data at the request of
Mexican-American and Hispanic organizations. “Latino”
first appeared on government documents in 1997.
Amidst the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, recognizing the contributions, histories and diversity of the Hispanic American and American Latino communities gained traction. In June 1968, California Congressman George E. Brown introduced Hispanic Heritage Week. He represented two heavily Latino and Hispanic populated areas in California, the San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles, and wanted to recognize the integral roles of these communities in American history.
Observation of Hispanic Heritage Week began in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Twenty years later, President Ronald Reagan extended it to a month-long celebration, starting September 15. A law officially
recognizing the month was passed August 17, 1988.
Between September 15 and October 15 each year, we observe Hispanic Heritage Month by recognizing and celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans who trace their roots to 19 Latin American countries and one territory: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay and Venezuela.
September 15 was set as the start date because five of those countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua – celebrate their independence on that day each year. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on September 16 and September 18, respectively. In addition, Mexicans observe Día de la Raza (Race Day), also known as Columbus Day, on October 12.
Each year, the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) selects the annual theme and image to be used for Hispanic Heritage Month. The theme for this year’s National Hispanic Heritage Month is: “Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation.” The 2022 theme and accompanying image reinforce the need to ensure diverse voices and perspectives are welcomed in decision-making processes, which helps build stronger communities and a stronger nation.
Inclusivity for
a Stronger Nation
In December 2020, Congress passed legislation to create a new Smithsonian museum in Washington, D.C., dedicated to Latinos. The National Museum of the American Latino will showcase Latino contributions to U.S. art, history, culture and science. The project is underway and is expected to take 10-12 years to complete. In the meantime, the first iteration can be found in the Molina Family Latino Gallery, inside the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. The gallery’s premiere exhibition, “¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States,” introduces key concepts, moments and biographies that illuminate U.S. Latinos’ historical and cultural legacies. The exhibition also tells the stories of Latinas and Latinos who have shaped the U.S., including César Chávez, Roberto Clemente and Celia Cruz.
The National Museum
of the American Latino
