Logo courtesy of the California Natural Resources Agency.
In September we celebrate the start of California Latino Heritage Month, which honors, remembers, and celebrates the contributions of Latinos in California. At 15.6 million, Latino Californians are the state’s largest ethnic group with roots that can be traced across the Americas, Indigenous communities of Latin American and Africa, and beyond. In his 2023 Latino Heritage Month proclamation, Governor Gavin Newsom lauded “the leadership, service, and vision of Latinos” that “continues to enrich all facets of American life.”
Latino Heritage Month began 55 years ago in 1968. September 15 is a significant date because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile also celebrate their independence days on September 16 and 18, and Dia de la Raza is on October 12.
There are several free supported programs that you can take part in this month, from Santa Barbara Library’s Club de Creadores: Edición Raíces y Sueños series (Wednesdays starting September 18) and a Paper Maché Doll-Making Workshop (September 21), a Mural Artivism symposium on Sacramento’s oldest Chicano mural and a Herencia Mariachi Academy performance in Moreno Valley celebrating Mexican culture (September 28), and La Mirada Library’s “repujado” workshop (ancient Mexican folk art of tin embossing)(October 12).
Find even more events to celebrate Latino Heritage Month on our events calendar!
