KEY TAKEAWAYS:
• Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, marking the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.
• Columbus holds many talks, workshops and festivals that you can attend to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.
• Discover books, podcasts and films from Hispanic and Latino creators.
SUMMARY:
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 each year. Learn how you can celebrate the histories, cultures and contributions, including those close to home in Central Ohio.
What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month is a monthlong celebration that honors the histories, cultures and contributions of Latino, Latina, Latinx, Latine and Hispanic people.It’s also a time for these communities to celebrate their roots and share their stories with the rest of the country.
The Hispanic and Latino communities continue to grow, contribute to and shape American culture. According to the U.S. Census, the Hispanic or Latino population, which includes people of any race, was 70.1 million in 2025 and made up 21% of the total population. From public policy and entrepreneurship to arts, food and entertainment, Hispanic and Latino Americans are making positive impacts in Central Ohio and around the nation.
When is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15. September 15 honors the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and 18, respectively.
The observance began as a weeklong event, established through legislation sponsored by Mexican American U.S. Representative Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles. President Lyndon Johnson signed it into law in 1968. Congress expanded it to a full month in 1988. Many Central and South American countries celebrate their Independence Day during this timeframe, making it a season of dual significance.
What is the difference between hispanic and latino, latina, latinx and latine?
These terms are related but carry different meanings, and communities use them differently.
Hispanic refers to people with ties to Spanish-speaking countries, including Central and South America and Spain, but excludes Brazil, which is primarily Portuguese-speaking. Latino or Latina refers to people with roots in Latin America, including Central and South America. In Spanish, words that end with “o” typically refer to masculine nouns (Latino) and words that end in “a” typically refer to feminine nouns (Latina). Latinx and Latine are gender-neutral alternatives. Some people find Latine easier to pronounce in Spanish than Latinx.
There is no single correct term. The most respectful approach is to ask which term (or terms, as people can be both Hispanic and Latino) someone prefers and use it. Self-identification is personal, and people within these communities hold diverse views on all of these terms. In addition to learning more about Hispanic and Latino culture, there are many things to read, watch and listen to as you celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Here is a curated list to get you started.
Things to read
Hispanic Heritage Month books
- El Ingenioso Hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha by Miguel de Cervantes
- Fruit of the Drunken Tree by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
- Love War Stories by Ivelisse Rodríguez
- One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
- The House of Broken Angels by Luis Alberto Urrea
- The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
- The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
- The Labyrinth of Solitude and Other Writings by Octavio Paz
For more books, check out:
- Amazon’s book list for Hispanic Heritage Month
- “24 Books to Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month” (Boston University)
- “66 books to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month” (Goodreads)
- “Hispanic American Heritage Month – Great Books for Adults” (Columbus Metropolitan Library)
Hispanic Heritage Month books for kids
- Alma and How She Got Her Name by Juana Martinez-Neal
- Dreamers by Yuyi Morales
- Mango, Abuela, and Me by Meg Medina, illustrated by Angela Dominguez
- Menudo Sunday: A Spanglish Counting Book by María Águila, illustrated by Erika Meza
- Mi Casa Is My Home by Laurenne Sala, illustrated by Zara González Hoang
- My Abuela is a Bruja by Mayra Cuevas, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez
- Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz, illustrated by Micah Player
- Tíos and Primos by Jacqueline Alcántara
Hispanic Heritage Month poems
- “Ancestor” by Jimmy Santiago Baca
- “Emplumada” by Lorna Dee Cervantes
- “I Am Not Alone” by Gabriela Mistral
- Poems by Alfonsina Storni
- Poems by Pablo Neruda
- Poems by Rosario Castellanos
- Poems by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
- “Rain” by Claribel Alegria
For more poems, check out this poem list for Hispanic Heritage Month.
Things to watch
Hispanic Heritage Month films
- City of God (2002)
- Coco (2017)
- Eva No Duerme (2015)
- Filly Brown (2012)
- Frida (2002)
- Roma (2018)
- The Graduates (2013)
- Viva (2016)
Hispanic Heritage Month youtube videos
Hispanic Heritage Month TED Talks
For more TED Talks, check out “10 Great TED Talks by Hispanic and LatinX Speakers for Hispanic Heritage Month.”
Things to listen to
Hispanic Heritage Month podcasts
- Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with NPR on Spotify
- Ofelia Esparza on Día de Los Muertos
- Lin-Manuel Miranda on Hamilton (Part One / Part Two)
- Juan Felipe Herrera on honoring languages and cultures
- Latinos Out Loud is a weekly comedic podcast that covers Latinx culture and pop culture.
For more podcasts, check out National Endowment for the Arts’ “Ten-ish Podcasts to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.”
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in central Ohio
- Attend the Columbus Latino Arts Festival — La Feria
- Check out The Ohio State University’s Hispanic Heritage Month Events
- Enjoy Taco Tuesday at John F. Wolfe Columbus Commons, May through September
- Play Lotería, Dominos and more at the ¡Buena Vibra! Dominos y Lotería Night with ELLA
- Support the Ohio Hispanic Coalition
There is so much to discover in Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Latinx and Latine culture, history and art. We hope this list gives you some new ideas to explore, whether on your own or with family and friends. Our best advice: Start with one thing that interests you, stay curious and keep learning.
FAQ/People also ask
Why is Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated in September and October?
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15. September 15 is the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. September 16 and 18 are the independence anniversaries of Mexico and Chile.
What is the difference between hispanic, latino, latina, latinx and latine?
Hispanic, Latino, Latina, Latinx and Latine are related terms but with different meanings. It’s always best to ask someone how they prefer to be identified. Hispanic refers to people who speak Spanish or are of Spanish origin. Latino, Latina, Latinx and Latine refer to people with roots in Latin America. In Spanish, Latino is a masculine noun and Latina is a feminine noun. Both Latinx and Latine are gender-neutral
Where can I find Hispanic Heritage Month events in central Ohio?
To find Hispanic Heritage Month events in Central Ohio, search online to get the most up-to-date information. Annual events in Columbus include an arts festival, Taco Tuesdays at Columbus Commons, and many workshops and events through The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences
How can I celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at home?
You can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by recognizing the diversity of these communities while seeking out the work of Hispanic and Latino creators
