SPECIAL EDITION: Why we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

People of Hispanic descent have influenced American history and culture for centuries. [ ] [EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW]( [VIEW ONLINE]( [EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW]( [National Geographic]( [HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH]( The United States has formally honored Hispanic heritage for more than 50 years—but people with Hispanic descent have influenced American history and culture for centuries. Learn why this heritage month begins in the [middle of the month]( ); the [complicated history]( ) of the terms “Hispanic,” “Latino,” and more; and how people are [reclaiming their histories]( ) and their [identities]( ). PHOTOGRAPH BY JODI COBB, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION [Everything you need to know about Hispanic Heritage Month]( From exploring the Western frontier on horseback to developing an early color transmission system for televisions, people of Hispanic descent have been helping to shape the history of the United States since centuries before the Declaration of Independence was ever signed. [WHAT YOU DIDN'T KNOW]( PHOTOGRAPHS BY CHRISTIE'S IMAGES/BRIDGEMAN IMAGES (LEFT), BRIDGEMAN IMAGES (RIGHT) ['Hispanic'? 'Latino'? Here's where the terms come from]( To say that the history of how we use "Hispanic" and "Latino" is complicated is an understatement—the terms are both connected to controversy and confusion. Here's how they came to be, what they refer to, and why many with historic ties to the places Spain and Portugal once colonized say they don't apply to them. [TERMS WITH ANCIENT ORIGINS]( [QUOTE] What "Latino" means, more than anything, is that you are part of a story that links you to other people with roots in a southern place. ... More than likely this story involves the journey a migrant made in search of work and opportunity. Héctor Tobar, writer [How Latinos are shaping America's future]( ) [National Geographic celebrates Hispanic and Latin American cultures. Explore our culture hub]( ›› DEA/ALBUM [The victorious origins—and complex legacy—of Cinco de Mayo]( Parades, brightly colored dresses, sizzling street food, festive music, and laughter fills the streets every May 5. On that day in 1862, a ragtag Mexican army defeated the better-equipped hosts of the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla. The battle itself did not decide the war—but the victory strengthened the morale of a very young Mexico and became the rallying cry of resistance to foreign domination. [SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE]( [HISTORY VS. LORE: How should we really remember the Alamo? A battle is brewing in Texas +]( [PUERTO RICO: The century-old battle over autonomy and full citizenship, explained +]( PHOTOGRAPH BY NATALIE KEYSSAR [These women are keeping Mexican traditions alive]( Escaramuzas in California ride sidesaddle, kick up dust, and channel the bravery and horsemanship of Mexican revolutionary heroes. [RODEO HEROES]( PHOTOGRAPH BY HARUKA SAKAGUCHI [Meet the survivors of a 'paper genocide']( A leader of the indigenous Caribbeans known as the Taíno describes how his people's history was erased—and what they're doing to get it back. ['I AM TAINO']( PHOTOGRAPH BY LUISA DÖRR [These Bolivian skateboarders are making a statement with their ancestral clothing]( The voluminous, traditional skirts—called polleras—worn by Indigenous Aymara and Quechua women are a symbol of identity in the Bolivian countryside, but have also been the object of discrimination. Now a group of women athletes has brought them back to the city to celebrate the cultural heritage of the cholitas. [SEE MORE PHOTOS]( PHOTOGRAPH BY KARLA ORTEGA [ PODCAST EPISODE ]( [Inside the Cave of the Jaguar God]( Crawl into the Maya underworld, where science meets spirits, shamans, and snakes. A long-forgotten cave could shed light on one of history's most enduring questions: why did the ancient Maya collapse? [LISTEN]( PHOTOGRAPH BY KEYSTONE VIEW COMPANY [ PODCAST EPISODE ]( [The Aztecs: From empire to A.I.]( 500 years after the fall of Tenochtitlan, Aztec culture endures, thanks to its descendants, protectors, and centuries-old documents that are moving the Aztec language and lore into the age of AI. [LISTEN]( [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [READ OUR LATEST STORIES]( [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [FB]( [Twitter]( [IG]( [VIEW ONLINE]( Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply. This email was sent to: {EMAIL}. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored. This email contains an advertisement from: National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 [Stop all types of future commercial email]( National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences. [Manage all email preferences]( with the Walt Disney Family of Companies. © 2022 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.