Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month is an annual event that runs from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 and honors the history, diversity and contributions of Americans with roots in Latin America and Spain. Hispanic Heritage Week was expanded to Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988 under President Ronald Reagan.
Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the integral part the Hispanic/Latino community has had in growing and strengthening our democracy.
Hispanic Heritage Month also provides opportunities to showcase the cultural influences the Latino community has had on the United States. From entertainment and sports to business and science, Latinas and Latinos enrich our society.
Hispanic and Latino are the two most used terms to describe Americans with Latin American and Caribbean ancestry. You may often see these terms used interchangeably, but different people understand and use these terms differently. The National Museum of the American Latino uses the term “Latino” to describe the diverse residents of the United States with cultural or ancestral ties to Latin America or the Caribbean. For many, the term "Latino" also creates room for acknowledging Black, Indigenous, Asian, and other heritages on equal terms with European ancestry. The term “Hispanic” is used to signal a connection to Spain or the Spanish language.
Hispanic and Latino American communities are extremely rich with diversity while also sharing common threads that bind us all together. This year's National Hispanic Heritage Month theme "Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One," celebrates the many unique roots of our individual identities as well as our unity and shared identity.
Explore these online resources to learn more about American Latino experiences and how you can join the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration:
- Latino Culture: Learn about the diverse Latino culture and how it has contributed to the society and culture of the United States.
- Latin Independence Days: Learn about the different Independence Days across Latin America and how they are celebrated and honored each year.
- Latin Food: Explore Latino recipes and learn about special events that Latino dishes are a central part of.
- Famous Latinos: Learn about famous Latinos and Latinas who have helped to shape the history and culture of the United States.
- Latino Art: Discover Latino artists who have used their unique experiences to help shape American culture through creative forms.
- Hispanic Heritage Month Educational Resources: Find all the Hispanic Heritage Month resources you need to teach yourself and others about Hispanic heritage and culture.
In June of 2020, Santee Cooper established the Inclusion, Diversity, & Equity Awareness (IDEA) Council to support its mission. The IDEA Council is an advisory body of employees that support corporate strategies that increase diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) awareness, reinforce a culture of equity and inclusion, and improve Santee Cooper’s diversity footprint.
