National Hispanic Heritage Month 2023

Published: September 15, 2023

From September 15 through October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month honors the achievements, contributions, cultures, and histories of Hispanic Americans. First designated as a weeklong celebration by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was officially established by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.

Once part of Mexico and Spain, Texas’ vibrant growth has been undoubtedly shaped by Hispanic influences. As Texans, we have enjoyed the benefits of Hispanic culture and the contributions of countless Latinos, including political leaders and activists, educators, scientists, artists, and community members whose daily contributions continue to enrich our lives. Since the early 2000s, Latinos have fueled Texas’ population growth. This growth reached a milestone in 2022 when official U.S. Census Bureau numbers confirmed Hispanic Texans (40.2%) outnumbered non-Hispanic white Texans (39.8%). Even more striking are data indicating 49.3% of Texans under 18 years are Hispanic, a trend that is predicted to continue through natural increase and net migration.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month over the next several weeks, we hope you will join us in learning more about the Center’s work in the Hispanic community and the many ways you can support and benefit from the richness of Hispanic culture and heritage. With the immense population growth and dynamic culture of Texas, it is imperative that our public health workforce engage with diverse communities across the state and take the lead in meaningful research that benefits all Texans.

If you are interested in participating in local Hispanic Heritage Month events, you might consider attending ALMA LATINA: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month in Austin, taking part in the Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebration in Houston, or working up a sweat at the Hispanic Heritage Month 5K Run & Walk.

If you’d like to learn more about Hispanic culture and its role in shaping the history of the U.S, visit the Smithsonian’s Hispanic Heritage Month website for resources, podcasts, and their online portrait gallery. You can also visit The National Park Service’s American Latino Heritage page to learn about the significant influence of Latino heritage.

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we hope you will take time to learn more about the richness of Hispanic heritage and enjoy its influence on life in Texas.

Written by Melissa Campos-Hernandez, research coordinator at the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living.