National Hispanic Heritage Month (Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana)

National Hispanic Heritage Month (Mes Nacional de la Herencia Hispana) is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15 in the United States by recognizing and celebrating the contributions and influence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. National Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was expanded to its current 30-day period under President Ronald Reagan. September 15 is significant because it also marks the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at the Library!

Latinx Resources at UIUC

  • Department of Latina/Latino Studies
    The Department of Latina/Latino Studies is in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at the University of Illinois.
  • Latin American & Caribbean Studies Collection
    The Latin American and Caribbean Studies collection at Illinois has more than 993,000 volumes and close to 300 serials from Latin America in Spanish, Portuguese, French, Quechua and several other indigenous and European languages!
  • La Casa Cultural Latina
    The mission of La Casa Cultural Latina is to promote a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere through the development of educational, cultural, socio-political, and social programs that lead to greater recruitment, retention, advancement, and empowerment of Latina/o students. La Casa engages current and future leaders through mentorship, civic engagement, and the promotion of social advocacy.
  • Latinx Library Resources
    Use our Latinx Library Resources LibGuide to find articles, books, and more information!

Support Latinx Authors!

Celebrate Latinx Heritage Month by supporting Latinx writers! Take a look at some of these amazing reads available through UIUC libraries!

  • Finding Latinx: in search of the voices redefining Latinx identity
    In this travelogue, journalist and activist Paola Ramos embarks on a journey to find the communities of people defining the term, “Latinx.”
  • I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter
    After losing her sister, Julia suddenly finds herself with the burden of fulfilling her parent’s expectations. Erica L. Sanchez crafts a beautiful story about loss, finding yourself, dealing with expectations and the experience of growing up in a Mexican American home.
  • Fruit of the Drunken Tree
    Inspired by the author’s own life, Fruit of the Drunken Tree explores the lives of women growing up in Bogotá through the eyes of 7 year old Chula,  where the threat of violence captures the attention of the nation.
  • My Mexico City Kitchen
    Gabriela Camara, one of the most innovative chefs and culinary trend-setter shares 150 recipes for her delicious and simple contemporary Mexican cooking.
  • Juliet Takes a Breath
    Juliet Milagros Palante has just gotten her dream internship in Portland, Oregon with her favorite feminist writer. The night before leaving she decides to come out to her family, but her coming out goes awry and she’s not sure her mom will ever speak to her again.

Written by: Loida
Posted by: Kirsten

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