Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) is an annual, month-long celebration that honors the history and contributions of Hispanic Americans.
Hispanic Heritage Month starts in the middle of September because several Hispanic countries (Mexico, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, And Nicaragua) celebrate their independence during this time.
Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration near and dear to my heart. Although we celebrate year-round, learning more about our culture and other Hispanic countries’ cultures is great. If you are interested in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, check out these four ways to celebrate.
1. Watch a TV show or film
Currently, Netflix has a section called Celebrating Hispanic Heritage. It’s a collection filled with series, documentaries, films, and so much more. If you don’t have Netflix, Hulu has a Hispanic and Latinx Stories section.
For some family-friendly movie recommendations, I suggest Encanto. Encanto is set in Colombia. We also love Coco and The Book of Life. Both of these movies are centered on Dia De Los Muertos.
2. Try a new recipe
There are so many delicious Latin and Hispanic dishes. If you already like a specific country’s cuisine, try a new-to-you recipe from that country. Or you could even opt to research another Latin country and try one of their famous or traditional dishes.
I may be a bit biased, but I love Dominican food. One of my favorite dishes is Sancocho. Sancocho is a hearty traditional soup with meat and vegetables served with rice. Other Latin countries also make Sancocho though the ingredients may vary.
3. Read books written by Latin and Hispanic authors
There are so many great books written by amazing Latinx and Hispanic authors. Visit your local library and check out some books. Your library may even have a display with books written by Hispanic authors in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. If you prefer to buy your books, check out your local bookstore (it’d be great if you could find a Hispanic-owned bookstore) or your favorite online bookstore. Be sure to check out these children’s books as well.
Below are a few of my favorite books written by Hispanic or Latin authors
- The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
- The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
- Inheritance: A Visual Poem by Elizabeth Acevedo
- In the Time of the Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
- They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
- Things We Lost in the Fire: Stories by Mariana Enriquez
4. Support Latin or Hispanic Businesses
Celebrate your favorite Latinx or Hispanic makers by shopping at their businesses. It’d be amazing if you could check out some local Latin or Hispanic-owned businesses. Check out local Latinx/Hispanic-owned restaurants, bakeries, clothing stores, etc. If you prefer to shop online, consider checking out Etsy or a similar marketplace. There are so many handmade goods created by Latinx and Hispanic people.
Looking for other ways to celebrate this month? Be sure to take a look at this post from Atlanta Mom.
