History
President Lyndon Johnson originally established Hispanic Heritage Month for a week
in 1968 through the House Joint Resolution 1299 by Representatives George E.
Brown and Henry B. Gonzalez. In 1987, Representative Esteban Torres launched the
proposal of expanding the week into a month-long celebration. On August 17, 1988,
Senator Paul Simon sponsored another version of Torre’s bill, which was signed into
law by President Ronald Reagan. It wasn’t till 1989, when President George H.W.
Bush made the first proclamation of National Hispanic Heritage Month. It was then officially established from September 15 to October 15.
Dates
On September 15, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua
gained their independence. On September 16, Mexico celebrates its independence.
Chile gained its independence on September 18. And the last country within the
month is Belize, which is September 21st. There are many other countries whose
independence is outside of the month-long celebrations. For example, the
Dominican Republic on February 27 and Paraguay on May 14.
Significance
Hispanic Heritage Month is more then just a month to celebrate. This month gives
Hispanics communities from all the over the world, the opportunity to honor their history and culture. Within the U.S, it represents unity and support for one another. 
As well, it gives the opportunity to educate Americans about the different Hispanic
cultures.
Popular Celebration Customs
Everyone has their own way of celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month. Some of the most popular celebration customs are attending parades/festivals, art exhibitions,
cooking traditional food, and much more.
Community
The Hispanic community is the largest and most diverse in the U.S. There are over 20 different regions and countries that have a wide range of cultural traditions, nationalities, races, and ethnicities. For example, Guatemalan cultural is a combination of Spanish Catholic influence and Mayan. Another example is Belize, which has a mix of Roman Catholic, Maya, and Garifuna.