Hispanic Heritage Month

Designed by the National Park Service

September 15 to October 15 is celebrated nationwide as National Hispanic Heritage Month. It traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. More than 500 years of Hispanic and Latino history and heritage can be found in national parks or shared through National Park Service programs and partners in communities across the country.

Hispanic refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a Spanish-speaking country.

Latino/a or Latinx refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a country in Latin America.

During this month and throughout the year, we, and our partners, share history, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans of past and present. Join the conversation on social media by sharing your own inspiration and learning more about Hispanic and Latino heritage by using #HispanicHeritageMonth and #FindYourPark / #EncuentraTuParque.

Duration:

5 minutes, 42 seconds

Have you ever heard a salsa rhythm that just made you want to groove? Perhaps bitten into a loaded taco bursting with flavor that makes you wonder how all of these flavors got into one bite? Maybe you have heard a friend from the Dominican Republic speaking Spanish to a companion from Argentina and thought, wow are they both really speaking the same language? Take a dive deeper into the world of Hispanic and Latinx heritage! From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. Meet National Park Service and other Department of the Interior staff as we share our heritage and get just a small taste of the immense diversity of the Hispanic and Latinx experience. Take advantage of this time set aside to learn something new about the many flavors of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage! (Video made in partnership with the Department of the Interior's National Association of Hispanic Employees and National Park Service's Hispanic Organization on Relevancy, Advising, Leadership, and Excellence.)

A Continuing Tradition of Service

Hispanic and Latino Americans have shaped the National Park Service since its beginning in 1916. The tradition continues today with Hispanic and Latino Americans working as employees, volunteers, interns, and partners in many career fields of the National Park Service, including natural and cultural resource management, law enforcement, interpretation, administration, and much more.

Left image
Credit: (Courtesy of Nicole Segnini)

Right image
Credit: (NPS Photo)

Inspired by her family's trips to national parks as a kid, Nicole always had a passion for the great outdoors. Now she is beginning her career journey in the National Park Service in communications through the Latino Heritage Internship Program encouraging others to come out to enjoy their public lands, be involved in stewardship, and also consider a career with us. Start your journey—work for us!

Featured Parks and Places

Designed by the National Park Service

Alternative Text for the Infographic

Infographic titled "Hispanic Heritage in Your Parks". Additional text reads "nps.gov/tellingallamericanstories. #EncuentraTuParque. Hispanic Heritage Month September 15-October 15. The National Park Service commemorates America's rich Hispanic history and culture found in many parks. Find more park connections at nps.gov."

The main illustration includes a map of the United States covered in various graphics related to Hispanic heritage, including tissue decorations known as "papel picado", two dancers, a guitar, pottery, and a fan.

Each panel of tissue paper represent a park. A red panel reads "Chamizal" with a desert plant. Additional text reads "Siglo De Oro festivals at Chamizal National Memorial bring history back to life with reenactments of 16th and 17th colonial Spain". A blue panel reads "NPS Santa Monica Mountains" with additional text "Mexican homesteaders and ranch owners in the Santa Monica Mountains area built a strong cultural heritage still seen today." A green panel reads "Cesar E. Chavez" with a farmer. Additional text reads "Under the leadership of Cesar E. Chavez and others, farm workers and supporters worked to secure higher wages and safer working conditions." An orange panel reads "Castillo de San Marcos" with a fort and palm trees. Additional text reads "The Castillo de San Marcos is not only a monument of stone and mortar but also the crossroad of European, African, and native cultures on the Florida coast." A yellow panel reads "San Antonio Missions" with a mission building. Additional text reads "A UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Antonio Missional National Historical Park preserves over 300 years of history and culture."

More than 500 years of Hispanic and Latino history and heritage can be found in national parks or shared through National Park Service programs and partners in communities across the country. Here are some parks and places that you can explore to learn about or participate in Hispanic and Latino heritage.

Park Websites en Español

Explore parks in Spanish! Several parks have created Spanish-language websites to help visitors plan their trips or learn about their park.

Kids Activities

Children of all ages are welcome to participate in these activities specifically designed for them! Learn about Latino and Hispanic history, such as early Spanish settlers, and how natural and man-made resources affected the culture of New Mexico, become a virtual ranger, and more!