Latinx Heritage Month

In commemoration of Latinx Heritage Month, we honor and celebrate the many outstanding contributions of Hispanic and Latinx-identified Americans to the fabric of our nation, California, UCSF and our department. 

Each year, Americans observe National Latinx Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. [1]

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15th and ending on October 15th. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402. [1]

The day of September 15 is significant because it is 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, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period. [1]

This celebration has become a vital opportunity to dispel ignorance, prejudice and fear through education about multiculturalism and the history of the countless contributions of Latinx communities.2

We have adopted the term “Latinx” rather than Hispanic or Latino to represent the identities of non-binary, gender non-conforming and gender-expansive people. “Latinx” also centers the lives of indigenous, Brazilian and other non-Spanish speaking people in this celebration. [2] 

References and Resources

1. ​US Library of Congress
2. Human Rights Campaign. Latinx Heritage Month: More Than One Word, More Than One Heritage. 
3. UC Calisphere. California Cultures: Hispanic Americans.
4. UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach. Latinx Heritage Month.
5. National Hispanic Heritage Month. 
6. National Park Service. Hispanic Heritage Month. 
7. The United States Census. National Hispanic Heritage Month.
8. Smithsonian. Latino Center. Hispanic Heritage Month Resources.
9. The Hispanic Museum and Library. Programs. Hispanic Heritage Month.
10. National Archives. National Archives News. Special Topics Pages. Hispanic Heritage Month. 
11. Pew Research Center. What is the Future of Spanish in the United States?
12. PBS. Spanish in the US.
13. ChicanX LatinX Campus Association.
14. Carlos Carrillo – Moonlighting Giant. Anesthesia News Magazine. Fall 2016. Volume 16. Page 13.

15. Zoom Backgrounds Show your Latinx pride by using a heritage month background – find them here.  

Events

Friday, September 17, 2021, 2 –3 pm Benioff Children’s Hospitals (All-Sites) will be establishing a chapter of CLCA. Join them for a meeting to find out more!

Monday, September 20, 2021, 3 pm - 4:30 pm The UC Chicano/Latino Advisory Council is pleased to announce the 4th Annual Leadership Summit, Cultivating Leadership Among UC’s Chicanx/Latinx Faculty and Staff. Register here.

Dia de los Muertos

Volunteers NeededHelp us create and decorate sugar skulls for Dia de los Muertos in person (if the university allows) Oct 23 (creating) & Oct 24 (decorating). Location in SF. Contact Naomi Lopez-Solano for more information. Virtual Ofrenda The virtual ofrenda is back! Click here to place an object, image, and words dedicated to a loved one.

UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach. UCSF Diversity Month 2021. Events.