Hispanic Heritage Month

About Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) is a month-long celebration of Latine history and Culture. While we celebrate Latine communities beyond this month, from September 15th to October 15th we highlight the many contributions made by the Latine community to the history and culture of the United States, including important advocacy work, vibrant art, traditional foods, and much more.

HHM provides an additional opportunity to explore the incredible impact that Latine have had on the United State for generations. Today, the Latine population in the United State is over 60 million according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population and is the largest ethnic group. The Latine community continues to help fuel the economy and enrich the nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artist, entertainers, educators, scientists, public servants, and much more.

When is HHM?

HHM is celebrated each year from September 15th to October 15th. It began as a week long celebration in 1968 and was expanded to a moth in 1988. The month-long celebration provides more time to properly recognize the significant contributions the Latine Community has made to the U.S. HHM does not cover on single month but instead begins in the middle of September and ends in the middle of October. The timeframe of this month is significant because many Latine countries celebratetheir independence within these dates. By aligning with these independence dates, HHM honors the resilience and determination of the Latine community. Key independence Days celebrated withing HHM include:

September 15 - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua
September 16 – Mexico
September 18 – Chile
September 21 – Belize

Learn more about the unique Latine Independence Days traditions and celebrations.

three students holding flowers and posing at the 2024 Sac State hispanic heritage month celebration

Why is Celebrating HHM Important?

Latine people have always held significant roles throughout our country’s history. HHM is important because it provides an opportunity to celebrate the integral part the Latine community has had in growing and strengthening our democracy.

Representation matters Latine people continue to shape the nation as business owners, activist, artists, educators, public servants and much more. From serving in the U.S. military to being champions in the fight for civil rights, Latine people remain string leaders and changemakers.

Its crucial to make sure that the contributions of the Latine community are showcase, and that they have a Voice. According to the 2020 data from the U.S. Bureau, one in every four children in the U.S. is Latine. A recent study found that Latine history is largely left out in high school textbooks that are used across the U.S., despite the increasing percentage of Latine students. This also comes at a time when the economic output of Latine would rank fifth in the world if the community were an independent country. As the country continues to increase in diversity, it is important that we all learn about the Latine experiences to recognize and value the many contributions the Latine community have made.

Explore more online resources to learn more about the Latine experiences and Hispanic Heritage Month: https://latino.si.edu/learn/teaching-and-learning-resources/hispanic-heritage-month-resources.

three students hold flowers and pose for the camera at the 2024 hispanic heritage month celebration

2024 Sacramento State HHM Events

September 13, 2024

3^rd Annual WEUSI Music Festival & Vendor Fair
12 - 6 p.m.
Serna Plaza, University Union

12 p.m. - DJ RUNITBAK
1 p.m. - Ideateam
2 p.m. - Arden Park Roots
3 p.m. - The Philharmonik
4 p.m. - DJ LG
4:45 p.m. - El Grito Presentation with Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity
5 p.m. - Banda Mexicana de Los Bocenegra

September 14, 2024

Latinx Heritage Night - Sac State Football
6:00 p.m.
Hornet Stadium

Free T-Shirts to the first 1,000 students!

September 15, 2024

Hispanic Heritage Month begins!

September 18, 2024

Serna Center’s La Bienvenida (The Welcome)
2:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Main Quad (in front of Lassen Hall)

September 24, 2024

Paz, Justicia, y Cambio Social Art Series
In collaboration with Dr. Heidy Sarabia, Sociology Department
12 - 1:30 p.m.
Serna Center Lounge

October 2, 2024

Café y Conversación (Coffee & Conversation)
3:30 - 5 p.m.
Dolores Huerta Boardroom, Serna Center

October 5, 2024

Feria de Educación
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
University Union

Scholarship Applications accepted until 8/31. Feria de Educacion Application

October 6, 2024

Latinx Day - Sac State Women's Soccer
1:00 p.m. Kickoff
Hornet Field vs Weber State
Tabling by the Serna Center, Women's Resource Center, and WEAVE

October 8, 2024

Voces de Sacramento Award Ceremony
6:30 - 8 p.m.
Pacific Suite, University Union

Learn more about the writing contest

October 9, 2024

Jotería Social with the PRIDE Center
2 - 4 p.m.
Serna Center Lounge

October 10, 2024

CRISJ's Building Bridges for Social Justice & Global Peace
5:30 - 8 p.m.
Harper Alumni Center, Sac State

October 15, 2024

Paz, Justicia, y Cambio Social Art Series
In collaboration with Dr. Heidy Sarabia, Sociology Department
12 - 1:30 p.m.
Serna Center Lounge

October 15, 2024

Sac State HSI Director Meet & Greet
9:30 - 11:00 a.m. - Café & Pan Dulce
11:00 am - 12:00 p.m. - Immigrant Stories & Lunch with the Dreamer Resource Center
12:00-1:30 p.m. - Paz, Justicia, y Cambio Social Art Series with the Serna Center
Serna/Dreamer Resource Center Lounge, Riverfront Center 1031

October 15, 2024

Hispanic Heritage Month ends.

2024 HHM Community Events

September 6, 2024

Central American Independence Celebration
Casa de Español
6 – 9 p.m.
1101 R St, Sacramento, CA

September 11, 2024

Latino Leadership Council’s 10^th Annual Forum
Celebrating 10 Years of Bringing our Communities Together: Latinos Thrive when Partnerships Work
8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Rocklin Event Center