The United States Census celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month in 2023 by sharing facts about America’s people, places, and economy.
As of July 1, 2022, 63.7 million Hispanics were living in the United States, making it the country’s biggest racial or ethnic minority, representing 19.1% of the overall population.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor the contributions of Americans who can trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean.
In 1968, Congress set aside a week for this observance, and two decades later, it was extended to a month, which now runs from September 15 to October 15.
This timing is historically significant as September 15 marks the independence day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
The designated period is also a nod to those from Mexico and Chile, celebrating their independence on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
Thirteen states across the continental United States had a million or more Hispanic residents in 2022, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.
The median age of the Hispanic population was 30.7 in 2022, up from 30.4 in 2021.
In other news, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) has announced that National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week will be observed from September 11-17, 2023.
The observance takes place during National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is celebrated from September 15 to October 15.
HACU works with members of Congress every year to recognize the contributions of Hispanic-Serving Institutions in their communities. HSIs are defined as having 25% or more undergraduate Hispanic students full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment.
In 2021-2022, 572 institutions met the definition of an HSI and enrolled 65.6% of all Hispanic undergraduates and 30.5% of all undergraduate students in nonprofit post-secondary education.
HACU-member HSIs are encouraged to observe the week with campus activities to raise awareness of the crucial role that HSIs play in improving access to education and advancing equity for traditionally underserved students.
Also, the National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) announced the 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month national theme: “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One.”
The theme reinforces the diversity inherent within the Hispanic community and the power that comes from being a united community. NCHEPM members, federal agency partners, employee resource groups, and members of the general public selected the theme through a substantive voting process.
NEW: Who is considered Hispanic in the United States? https://t.co/lyeCL1qtb6
— Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) September 5, 2023
HACU has announced National Hispanic-Serving Institutions week will be observed Sept. 11 – 17, 2023. The observance takes place during National Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated Sept. 15 – Oct. 15. https://t.co/YBAKFyGesL
— HACU (@HACUNews) June 8, 2023
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