Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month & Latinx Heritage Month

This is a special post written by Charles Warren, Curriculum Developer at Triangle. Charlie is also a member of Triangle’s Racial Equity Task Force. As part of our commitment to the work of our Racial Equity Task Force, we will be sharing more information with you on subjects related to racial equity and disability justice. This post continues our series dedicated to calling attention to the contributions of people with disabilities to American history.

Hispanic Heritage Month and Latinx Heritage Month are celebrations of the history, culture, and contributions of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to Latin America.

• Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15. The start date is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence during the month, on September 16 and 18 respectively.

• Latinx Heritage Month is a more recent celebration, and there is no one agreed-upon start date. Some people celebrate it from September 15 to October 15, the same dates as Hispanic Heritage Month, while others celebrate it from October 15 to November 15, which includes the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution.

The terms “Hispanic” and “Latinx” are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference. “Hispanic” refers to people who come from or have ancestry in a Spanish-speaking country. “Latinx” is a gender-neutral term that can refer to people of Latin American descent, regardless of their gender identity.

Both Hispanic Heritage Month and Latinx Heritage Month are important because they help to raise awareness of the rich and diverse cultures of Latin America. To celebrate this month, we will be highlighting the many contributions that people with disabilities from these communities have made to the United States. These celebrations are a time to learn about the past, celebrate the present, and look forward to the future.

By learning about and celebrating disability culture and history during Hispanic Heritage Month and Latinx Heritage Month, we can all help to create a more inclusive and equitable society. Check back here over the next month to learn more!