Mission:  To recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success.

Background: Hispanic Heritage Month began as a commemorative week when it was first introduced in June of 1968 by California Congressman George E. Brown, who wanted to recognize the role played by Hispanic Heritage communities throughout American history. September 15 was chosen as the start of Hispanic Heritage Month because it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of several Latin American nations, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, while Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Hispanic Heritage Week was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to thirty days; in the decades since, every sitting U.S. president has made National Hispanic Heritage Month proclamations. In addition, the Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum annually pay tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched the U.S. society, history, and culture.

Outstanding Web Features: The National Archives and Presidential Libraries site offers access to a compendium of documents, exhibits, films, and blog posts that recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans. Visitors to the site can view related records on the Hispanic and Latino Heritage resource and in the Archives Catalog, including documents about Puerto Rico,  prominent Hispanic Americans, and Hispanic and Latino issues in the United States. The site also includes a photographic slideshow, multiple video recordings, links to related articles and online exhibits and resources, Presidential Library information, and an extensive list of blog posts on the subject. For more information, visitors can conduct a keyword search to find relevant items and link to additional educational resources.