Originally posted to UW Huddle.
Hispanic American Heritage Month is from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 each year. This year’s theme is: “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future.” The theme recognizes the spirit of innovation, resilience, and unity that define Hispanic and Latinx communities. The UW Medicine Community is invited to celebrate, recognize and honor the achievements, contributions, and heritage of Hispanic and Latinx employees and people around the world.
History of Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic American Heritage Month is from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 each year. It was first held in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and expanded to a month-long observance in 1988.
While other cultural observance months start on the first of the month, there is a reason this one doesn’t. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua all gained independence on Sept. 15; plus, Mexico’s Independence Day is Sept. 16 and Chile’s is Sept. 18.
Usage of the Term “Latinx”
Though the official name of the month does not include Latinx, making a distinction between Hispanic and Latinx communities is important because they are not 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.
Even though we use “Latinx,” it is important to note that some people within the community do not identify with the term. In fact, a Pew Research Center survey from 2020 found that only 3% of people in the community use “Latinx” to describe themselves and that it is primarily accepted among young women. Despite this, UW Medicine chose to use “Latinx” to be inclusive of people who identify outside of the gender binary of male and female. There is currently not another widely recognized term that has this inclusivity; however, we recognize that this term may not resonate with for everyone.
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