National Hispanic Heritage Month begins each year on September 15 and continues until October 15. This is a time to celebrate and recognize the diverse cultures, extensive histories, and many contributions of the American Latino community.

Beginning as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, the nationwide celebration was extended to a month in 1988. It involves festivals, community gatherings, conferences, art shows, concerts, and many other events. Rather than starting on September 1, the celebration begins in the middle of the month to coincide with national independence days in several Latin American countries. These include Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Chile, and Belize.

The following facts about the Latino population in the U.S. have been provided by the Insurance Information Institute ( III ).

The insurance industry has long been committed to fostering diversity and inclusion as the centerpiece of its culture. At a 2016 leadership conference, insurance industry CEOs came together to sign a statement of this commitment in the commercial sector. Insurance industry initiatives to promote diversity and inclusion include:

Activities to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month in the workplace can help your team learn more about Hispanic culture while connecting with each other. For example, you may arrange for your group to:

However you celebrate, it is important to recognize and celebrate the American Latino community during National Hispanic Heritage Month.