We have all heard the saying: “If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.”
Although its original namesake does not include Latinx, making a distinction between Hispanic and Latinx communities is important to recognize during National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month because they are not one in the same.
Hispanic refers to people who have ancestry in or are from a Spanish-speaking country, whereas Latinx refers to people who have ancestry in or are from a Latin American country.
Hispanic Heritage Month was first held in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. In August 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the observance to cover 30 days starting on September 15th and ending on October 15th.
While other cultural observance months start on the first of the month, there is a reason this one does not: the timing of Hispanic Heritage Month reflects the diversity within the U.S. Hispanic population.
September 15th is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16th and September 18th, respectively. Additionally, many Latin and Spanish-speaking countries commemorate their indigenous people by celebrating Día de la Raza on October 12th, which also falls within these 30 days.
We encourage you to learn more and share the history of what our nation celebrates today as National Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month including these 10 Inspiring Latinas who have made significant contributions to society!
Using Cultural Elements and Brief Interventions to Reduce Substance Use with Hispanic and Latinx Communities
Friday, October 13 at 7:00a – 10:00a (PT)
(VIRTUAL) Hosted by Northeast & Caribbean Prevention Technology Transfer Center (PTTC) Network
Prevention with Latinx communities includes a culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and inclusive framework conducive to screening and early intervention. This Webinar will inform on how taking a few minutes to conduct a person-centered brief intervention can help motivate reduction of substance use with Hispanic, Latino and Latinx communities. The approach further identifies those with high potential for a substance use disorder and opportunities for accessing culturally relevant resources. Register today >>
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Shines Light on Reducing Mental Health and Suicide Stigma in Latinx and Hispanic Communities
Better Health Through Better Understanding for Hispanics/Latinos: Health Literacy, Barriers to Healthcare, and Improving Language Access and Health Outcomes 2023 Reading List
Beyond Gender: Indigenous Perspectives, Muxe – A limited series on some of the world’s third gender Indigenous people
For Brown Girls with Sharp Edges and Tender Hearts by Prisca Dorcas Mojica Rodríguez
THE HUDDLE, Celebrating Hispanic and Latinx Diversity and National Latino Physician Day
Hispanic Americans in Congress
History, Art & Archives – United States House of Representatives
Key facts about U.S. Latinos for National Hispanic Heritage Month
Latinx/Hispanic Stats in Washington State
Mental Health and Latino Men: Breaking the Barriers of Stigma
Nuestra América: Celebrating Influential Latinos in American History
Our Migrant Souls: A Meditation on Race and the Meanings and Myths of “Latino” by Héctor Tobar
Parents magazine: How to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month With Kids—No Matter Where Your Family’s From
PEDIATRICS, State-Level Anti-Immigrant Sentiment and Policies and Health Risks in US Latino Children
Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Creation and Evolution of the National Hispanic Heritage Celebration
UW Presidential Blog, Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month’s themes of prosperity, power and progress
We Had Our Reasons by Ricardo Ruiz
Mental Health America (MHA) – Centro de Recursos de Salud Mental en Español
Commonwealth Fund Fellowship in Minority Health Policy at Harvard University (Apply by December 1, 2022)
Latinx/Hispanic in Washington State Statistics
Support a local Latin-owned Small Business in your community
National Museum of the American Latino
Share OMH’s Hispanic/Latino Population Profile to spread awareness about the unique health concerns impacting Hispanic/Latino Americans
PBS celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with books, recipes, music, and other resources for kids, families, and educators
Through community partnerships and capacity building, the UW Latino Center for Health provides leadership through innovative research that promotes culturally responsive evidence-based practices, informs health policy, and advances the health and well-being of our growing Latinx community
UW Medicine’s SOM Latinx Health Pathway
Visit the U.S. Census Bureau’s website to learn more about the heritage of this diverse community
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH) Resources and data focused on advancing Better Health Through Better Understanding for Hispanic/Latino Americans
Visit the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics website to learn how the federal government is advancing educational equity and economic opportunity for Hispanic/Latino students, families, and communities
Burke Museum Arts & Culture Collections: Mexico, Central and South America
National Park Service (NPS) recognizes American Latino Heritage and celebrates its 107th birthday with the Mi Parque, Mi Historia campaign inviting Hispanic/Latino communities, families, and individuals nationwide to share their personal connection to the parks
A Conversation With Latinos on Race | Op-Docs
Latino/a, Latinx or Latine? Conversation around Hispanic identity is changing
Sources: Linkedin, UW Medicine (huddle.uwmedicine.org) and the Latino Center for Health (latinocenterforhealth.org), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (minorityhealth.hhs.gov)