Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month

About Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM)

Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM) is celebrated annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to acknowledge the history, culture, and contributions of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to over 20 countries in Latin America, including Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

In the United States, there are approximately 60 million people who have ancestries connected to these countries who reside in the United States, representing approximately 18% of the U.S. population. Many labels are used for this panethnic group, with the most common umbrella terms being “Hispanic” and “Latina/e/o/x.” 

Hispanic Americans have been influential in every part of this nation's history, from arts to politics to business and innovation to the military. 

History of LHHM

Since 1968, LHHM has been recognized by the federal government and celebrated across the United States. The start of the month, Sept.15, is significant, as several Latin American countries celebrate their independence from Spain on this day, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence during the month on Sept. 16 and 18 respectively. 

A University-wide committee, chaired by Dr. Gina Garcia and supported by the Pitt Office for Equity, Diversity, launched the first university-wide HHM in fall 2018. Entering our fifth year, we have added the term, “Latinx” to the name of our monthly celebration as a way to be more inclusive. In fall 2021, we launched a series of cross-institutional events as part of Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM). 

The committee is chaired in 2023 by Dr. Belkys Torres, associate vice provost for inclusive excellence in education.

Sponsors

Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month is sponsored by organizations across Pitt including Latinx Student Association (LSA), Latino Medical Student Association, Latin American Graduate Organization of Students (LAGOS), Hispanic Latinx Professional Association (HLPA), Latin American Graduate Organization of Students, Center for Latin American Studies,  Student Affairs, University Library System, School of Education, Schools of Health Sciences, School of Social Work, School of Arts and Sciences, Office of Admissions and Financial Aid, Small Business Development Center, Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, Center on Race and Social Problems, Center for Ethnic Studies Research, Office of University Communications, and the Office for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion.

University & Educational Partners

We also have university partners across Pittsburgh including Carnegie Mellon University, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, Point Park University, Slippery Rock, La Roche University, and Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, who have come together to develop a comprehensive Pittsburgh-based month of LHHM activities that fall within four core principles: cultural, educational, social, and advocacy.

The committee includes representatives from across the campus, as well as those from local organizations and other colleges and universities in Pittsburgh, who are striving to create a collaborative calendar of events intended to create awareness of Hispanics/Latinas/os/xs in Pittsburgh and the broader U.S. context. 

If you have questions, ideas, or want to get more involved with LHHM, please email latinxconnect@pitt.edu