Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.  This observation began in September 1968 when Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week.  The week was expanded to a month in 1988 during the Reagan administration.  September 15 was chosen as the start of the celebration because it falls on the independence days for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.  Independence anniversaries for Mexico and Chile fall closely behind on September 16 and 18.

Visit our Hispanic Heritage Month display in the hallway at the entrance of the John T. Richardson Library at the Lincoln Park Campus and check out these Hispanic attractions in Chicago compiled by the Red Eye.