Latinx Heritage Month, recognized annually from September 15 through October 15, honors the history, cultural diversity, and unique contributions of individuals and communities whose ancestry can be traced back to Spain, Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean. 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 and enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988. Sept. 15 coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, followed shortly thereafter by Mexico (Sept. 16) and Chile (Sept. 18). Día de la Raza and Indigenous Peoples Day, recognized on the second Monday of October, also fall within this period. The term “Latinx” relates to people of Latin American origin or descent and is used as a gender-neutral or non-binary alternative to Latino or Latina. The term Latinx grew in usage in late 2014 and became more widely used following the Orlando nightclub shooting of June 2016.

Fall 2022

  • Tabling, on Thursday afternoons - cultural Trivia w/prizes ("Guess the Flag")
  • Dining Hall, Follow UML Dining for updates (table tents with 3 important facts about the heritage) 
  • Library lib guides,https://libguides.uml.edu/hispanicheritage
  • Lunch & Learn: Virtual LatinX History Tour - Sept. 15, 2022, 12 p.m. at Social Justice Center, UCC 370 - Highlights include: Fascinating stories of Hispanic and Latinx history, a look at the impact of Tejano music in America, and trivia that engages and informs attendees.
  • Latinx Heritage Student/Alumni Networking – Sept. 21, 2022, 6 p.m. at University Crossing, Room 490 – Join us on our annual Latinx Heritage Month Student/Alumni Networking event. The first of the series of events put together to celebrate Latinx Heritage Month. Alumni of Latinx origin will be present to share their insights to networking and post college career lives. They will be sharing their life experiences, providing us with helpful advice and are here to answer anything else you have in mind. Hosted by LASA, and Office of Alumni Relations
  • O'Leary Library: During the months of September & October, honoring the Latinx Heritage, O’Leary Library will have a libguide that highlights ebooks, videos and films from the library collection, as well as feature Films on Demand.
  • Weekly Social Media postings – fun facts, recipes, spotlights (Sept. 15- Oct. 15)