National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 to October 15
Every year, for 31 days. Here's the law that sets the dates, why they start mid-September, the 32 proclamations from 1994 to 2025, and 2025 Census estimates of Hispanic residents for every county.
Look up a year, 1968 to 2100
You'll get the dates and their weekdays (our calculation). For 1994 to 2025 you'll also get the proclamation, its number and who signed it.
As of October 12, 2026
- 2026, under way: Tuesday, September 15 to Thursday, October 15
- 2027, next: Wednesday, September 15 to Friday, October 15
- 2028: Friday, September 15 to Sunday, October 15
Our calculationWeekdays worked out from the calendar. The year lookup needs JavaScript; without it, see the list of proclamations.
The short version
- 1968Public Law 90-498, approved September 17, 1968, asked for a yearly National Hispanic Heritage Week (82 Stat. 848).
- 1988Public Law 100-402 changed it to a 31-day period, taking effect at the start of 1989 (102 Stat. 1012).
- 32Proclamations, 1994 to 2025, one for each year, from 5 presidents, as listed by the Federal Register API.
- 70.1 million2025 estimate of Hispanic residents of the US on July 1, 2025, 21% of the total population (Census Bureau).
“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.”
Why September 15?
“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.” (hispanicheritagemonth.gov (Library of Congress))
The latest proclamation in our list (2025)
Proclamation 10974, signed September 22, 2025 by President Donald Trump. It begins: “During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize the extraordinary contributions of Hispanic-American citizens past and present—and we honor their vibrant spirit, unyielding resilience, and inspiring commitment to our shared American values.”
2025 Hispanic population estimates where you live
The Census Bureau's Vintage 2025 estimates put 70,145,126 Hispanic residents in the 50 states and DC on July 1, 2025 (the sum of the 51 state rows in sc-est2025-alldata6.csv). Pick a state to see its counties.
Or open the county explorer to search all 3,144 counties and county equivalents by name.
Questions people ask
When is National Hispanic Heritage Month?
September 15 to October 15, every year. Federal law asks the President to proclaim it each year: “The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation— (1) designating September 15 through October 15 as National Hispanic Heritage Month; and (2) calling on the people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.” (36 U.S.C. § 126 (govinfo))
Our calculationIn 2027 it runs from Wednesday, September 15 to Friday, October 15.
Why does it start in the middle of September?
“The timing is historically significant as September 15 is the anniversary of independence in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.” (Census Bureau, Facts for Features 2026) “The designated period is also a nod to those from Mexico and Chile, which celebrate their independence September 16 and September 18, respectively.” (Census Bureau, Facts for Features 2026)
When did it become a whole month?
It started as a week in 1968. Public Law 100-402, approved August 17, 1988, changed the week to a “31-day period beginning September 15 and ending on October 15”. The change took effect at the start of the next year: “The amendments made by section 1 shall take effect on January 1 of the first year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act.” (Public Law 100-402 (102 Stat. 1012))
Why do some federal pages say National Hispanic American Heritage Month?
The law and every proclamation we list use National Hispanic Heritage Month. The Library of Congress portal's 2026 pages use a longer name: “September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month” (hispanicheritagemonth.gov (Library of Congress))
Has there been a 2026 proclamation?
On October 12, 2026 we searched the Federal Register API for presidential documents containing the term Hispanic Heritage. It returned 33 documents. 32 are proclamations titled National Hispanic Heritage Month, one for each year from 1994 to 2025; the other one is not about the observance. None is for 2026. That is what this one search found, not proof that no 2026 proclamation exists anywhere. The White House posted a Presidential Message on National Hispanic Heritage Month dated September 17, 2026 (whitehouse.gov).
How many Hispanic residents live in the United States?
2025 estimate: “70.1 million The Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2025, making it the nation’s largest racial or ethnic minority — 21% of the total population.” (Census Bureau, Facts for Features 2026)
Look up any state or county in the county explorer.