![Hispanic Heritage Month Decorations Stings of papel picado depicting parks and text "September 15-October 15 Hispanic Heritage Month Telling All Americans' Stories National Park Service"](/subjects/npscelebrates/images/Hispanic-Heritage-Month-Decorations.jpg?maxwidth=650&autorotate=false)
Designed by the National Park Service
September 15 to October 15 is celebrated nationwide as National Hispanic Heritage Month. It traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans. More than 500 years of Hispanic and Latino history and heritage can be found in national parks or shared through National Park Service programs and partners in communities across the country.
Hispanic generally refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a Spanish-speaking country.
Latino, Latina, Latine, or Latinx, generally refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a country in Latin America. It is often a personal choice which term is used by an individual. There are a lot of connections between Latino and Hispanic American identity in the US, so National Hispanic American Heritage Month celebrations often include Latino Americans as well.
During this month and throughout the year, we, and our partners, share history, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans of past and present. Join the conversation on social media by sharing your own inspiration and learning more about Hispanic and Latino heritage by using #HispanicHeritageMonth and #EncuentraTuParque.
Find History and Heritage All Year
![Ranger dressed in a traditional Latina outfit demonstrating making tortillas to visitors](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/B5759A7E-9522-5471-E7234DB6F5C91F37.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Discover stories and cultural heritage shared in national parks and communities across the country.
![Outside wall decorated by a mural depicting various scenes of Hispanic heritage](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/B51D3DC2-C565-611F-2DF836139DB039CA.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
This theme study for students, teachers, and historic preservation professionals discusses various topics of Latino culture.
![Boy Scouts looking towards Anza Expedition reeanctors on horseback](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/B50BF68C-ED7E-8C52-B6620BAC2F8847AE.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Find distance learning opportunities, lesson plans, and other educational material about history and heritage for all age groups.
My Park StoryFrom national parks to historic landmarks to gathering spaces in your community, the National Park Service protects places that connect us to our past, to ourselves, and to one another. Whether you've been awestruck by the power of nature, shared meaningful moments with family, or come together with your community to preserve your favorite open space, your story matters. Share you story using #MyParkStory. |
Mi Parque, Mi HistoriaYa sea que se trate de un parque nacional, de un monumento histórico o de alguno de los lugares favoritos de reunión en tu comunidad, el Servicio de Parques Nacionales (NPS, por sus siglas en inglés) se ocupa de la protección de esos espacios que nos conectan con el pasado, con nosotros mismos y con los nuestros.Comparte tu historia utilizando el hashtag #MiParqueMiHistoria. |
![Postcard reading "Your Park Story" with park images inside the letters](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/00E19E72-B0E9-C016-03AC7037A7544374.jpeg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Share your favorite memories and experiences from your visits to parks.
![Postcard reading "Mi Parque, Mi Historia" with park images inside the letters](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/00F2D159-D274-F017-FD5CE7D5DAC054BB.jpeg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Comparte tus mejores recuerdos y experiencas en tu visita a tu parque.
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Latinos en Capas, "Latinos in Layers"
Astrid and Franklin bridged poetry, art, science, and culture together in a poem inspired by Florrisant Fossil Beds National Monument.
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Park Art Connections
Latino Heritage Internship Program interns created artwork of park places, stories, and experiences that inspired them.
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Creating Connections through Education
Follow Ranger Yvette's journey from teacher to director of education at Everglades National Park, a place very special to her.
Image by Mr. Boris A. Jiron
Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One
Hispanic and Latino American communities are extremely rich with diversity while also sharing common threads that bind us all together. This year's National Hispanic Heritage Month theme "Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One," celebrates the many unique roots of our individual identities as well as our unity and shared identity.
Visit national parks or places in your community to explore Hispanic and Latino American identities and connections..Find some stories below from national parks or our programs that go beyond our park boundaries.
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"Rico"
Hispanic and Latino National Park Service staff are "proud of our past, embracing our future".
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"Oíste?"
The Oíste? podcast series takes listeners on a rhythmic journey through the world of salsa.
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"American History, Hispanic History"
For Hispanic Heritage Month, Ranger Lili shares fascinating history from national parks.
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We Are Chamizal!
We are a diverse group of people. We share the beautifully complex history of a conflict and resolution between two countries.
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Connecting Conservation Across Countries
Three university students from Mexico traveled to Cape Cod National Seashore for an exchange of conservation ideas.
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Latino LGBTQ Gathering Spaces
Explore places LGBTQ Latinos came together, formed groups, and created a deeper sense of what it means to be both Latino and LGBTQ.
A Continuing Tradition of Service
Hispanic and Latino Americans have shaped the National Park Service since its beginning in 1916. The tradition continues today with Hispanic and Latino Americans working as employees, volunteers, interns, and partners in many career fields of the National Park Service, including natural and cultural resource management, law enforcement, interpretation, administration, and much more.
![A young Nicole standing at an overlook of a very big canyon](/common/upload/nri/subject/npscelebrates/C93D0C50-B3CB-D4CE-0CBA7786C1A1AD24/C93D0C50-B3CB-D4CE-0CBA7786C1A1AD24.jpg?autorotate=false&maxWidth=1300&maxHeight=1020)
![A young Nicole standing at an overlook of a very big canyon](/common/upload/nri/subject/npscelebrates/C9426AAC-DE3C-D927-C3F38410F3E25E2C/C9426AAC-DE3C-D927-C3F38410F3E25E2C.jpg?autorotate=false&maxWidth=1300&maxHeight=1020)
Left image
Credit: (Courtesy of Nicole Segnini)
Right image
Credit: (NPS Photo)
![Black and white historic photo of George Wright holding a camera in the woods](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/B7371167-B593-36B2-10D07286592DBACF.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Learn about George Melendez Wright's lasting legacy of natural resource management in national parks.
![Jhulian Guitierrez wearing an LHIP program shirt](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/B7857714-C02C-4C77-85E640A2BD7F316F.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Join Jhulian Gutierrez for a conversation with Latino leaders in the National Park Service as he begins his career.
![Intern wearing a backpack outside](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/22488EC5-9518-6199-71E933320669E5C5.jpeg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
The Latino Heritage Internship Program provides internship opportunities for young adults in a variety of career fields.
![Intern holding a tortoise](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/21F35D1A-D36F-BBE1-D5065E93AAF31562.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
The Mosaics in Science Internship Program provides hands-on experience in natural resource management and research.
Park Websites en Español
Explore parks in Spanish! Several parks have created Spanish-language websites to help visitors plan their trips or learn about their park.
![Mexican dancers on a stage](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/BA1E5C70-CF0A-25EF-6E6A30D37EFF9284.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Once the site of an international border dispute, this park in Texas celebrates the cultures and relationship of Mexico and United States.
![Desert valley with Joshua trees at sunset](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/BA48B665-9F2E-07EA-05542529E1BAF500.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
The distinct desert ecosystems of the Mojave and Colorado deserts meet in this park in southern California.
![Intern standing inside an old wooden fort](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/BAFDBA8E-074B-334A-D95AA91599409F2A.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Cultures converged at sites on the Oregon and Washington border where explorers found their way to the Pacific Coast.
![Snow-covered mountain and its reflection in a lake](/common/uploads/grid_builder/npscelebrates/crop16_9/BB333E38-EF2D-CEBA-36024345F7504D82.jpg?width=640&quality=90&mode=crop)
Mount Rainier, an active volcano in Washington, is surrounded by ancient forests, subalpine meadows, and river and lakes.
Kids Activities
Children of all ages are welcome to participate in these activities specifically designed for them! Learn about Latino and Hispanic history, such as early Spanish settlers, and how natural and man-made resources affected the culture of New Mexico, become a virtual ranger, and more!
Last updated: September 15, 2023