Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15 to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic Americans. It started as a week-long observance in 1968 and was later expanded to a full month in 1988 by President Reagan. The September 15 start date is significant because it commemorates the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. The month-long period includes other significant independence days, such as Mexico's on September 16.