In Johnson County, we honor the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latin Americans during Hispanic Heritage Month, taking place Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 when President Johnson proclaimed the week including Sept. 15 and 16 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, President Reagan expanded the celebration to a month-long observance.

Nearly 50,000 Johnson County residents identified as Hispanic in the 2020 Census, making up 8.14% of the population. This month is an opportunity to recognize the impact of our Hispanic and Latino community.

The Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center is hosting a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Wednesday, Oct. 8. The event will run from 6-8 p.m. and feature musical performances, food for sampling and purchase, bike displays, a community art project and more. Admission is free and open to the public – no tickets required.

Johnson County Library is hosting activities highlighting Hispanic and Latino culture as well. A Walk and Read at the Johnson County Arts & Heritage Center Oct. 4-12 will feature “Green Is a Chile Pepper: A Book of Colors.”

The Library is also hosting Nuestra América: Stories of 30 Inspiring Latinas/Latinos Who Have Shaped the United States with Smithsonian Educators on Thursday, Oct. 2 from 1-2 p.m. During the virtual event, Smithsonian curators Emily Key and Adrian Aldaba from the Smithsonian Latino Center will explore stories from Nuestra América. You can register online for the event.

Additional Hispanic Heritage Month resources are available through the Library:

• For further reading, check out the Library’s Hispanic Heritage Month reading list.
• For further watching, check out Kanopy’s films curated for Hispanic Heritage Month – available for free with your library card.