One of 12 recurring nationally recognized months celebrating the achievements of marginalized and underrepresented groups in America began on September 15th.

Recognition of Latinx people was first introduced in June of 1968, by California Congressman George Brown. He introduced it as Hispanic Heritage Week, which was officially named by President Lyndon B. Johnson in September of that year. Two decades later, President Ronald Regan adopted a longer appreciation, creating Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th. It’s important to note, September 15th is the day of independence for many Latinx countries such as El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Nicaragua.

Mendez v. Westminster 

“Under God we are all equal. You belong at that school just like everybody else belongs to that school, that’s what we’re fighting for.” – Sylvia Mendez quoting her mother

“A paramount requisite of the American system of public education is social equity. It must be open to all children by unified school association regardless of lineage.” – Judge Paul J. McCormick, U.S. District Court

In 1947, Mendez v. Westminster made its way to the U.S. Ninth Circuit of Appeals. This established that the segregation of Mexican-American students was unconstitutional in the California education system. Sylvia Mendez was the face of the movement, spreading awareness about segregation within schools for the Latinx community when she was just nine years old. Judge Paul J. McCormick ruled in favor of the Mendez case, sparking an uptake in the fight for racial equity. Though this case was in 1947, in 1956, it helped aid in Brown v. Board of Education, outlawing racial segregation in all public schools all over the U.S.

Alex Padilla

U.S. senator Alex Padilla from California, was appointed in 2021 to fill vice president Kamala Harris’s senate seat. He made history as the first Latino to represent California in the U.S. Senate. A Democrat, Padilla previously served as California’s Secretary of State, where he focused on expanding voter access and modernizing election systems. Before that, he was a state senator and a Los Angeles city councilman; his political career has been centered around civil rights, climate change and immigration reform, reflecting his roots as a son of Mexican immigrants.

Zoe Saldaña

The American actress Zoe Saldana, is known for her roles in major Blockbuster franchises. She rose to fame with performances in Avatar, Guardians of the Galaxy and Star Trek making her one of the few actresses to appear in three of the highest-grossing film franchises. Born in New Jersey to Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, Saldana is celebrated for representation of Latinas in Hollywood and her advocacy for diversity in film; her performances often combine strength and vulnerability earning her both critical and commercial success.

Jean-Michel Basquiat

Jean-Michel Basquiat was a groundbreaking American artist known for his raw, expressive style that combined graffiti, text, and symbolism. Born in Brooklyn in 1960 to Haitian and Puerto Rican parents, he began as a street artist before rising to fame in the 1980s art scene. His work explored themes like race, identity, and power, often referencing African American history and anatomy. He gained international acclaim and became a legend in the art world

While we celebrate this month, please enjoy the free virtual events, sponsored by the National Museum of the Latino happening this week through the 15th. See here: https://latino.si.edu/