Hispanic Heritage Month 2008

On September 15, academic institutions and cultural groups nationwide embarked on a month-long celebration of Hispanic heritage and culture. Initially begun as a week-long observance in 1968, National Hispanic Heritage Month was expanded in 1988 to 30 days. September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration to include the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.