Fort Union National Monument, New Mexico

A crossroad of cultures. Hispanic Heritage Month

Today marks the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, a nationwide celebration honoring the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Observed each year from September 15 to October 15, the month begins on a date that coincides with the independence anniversaries of several Latin American nations, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

The image shows Fort Union National Monument in northeastern New Mexico, a place where many stories of the American Southwest intersect. Once a major outpost on the Santa Fe Trail, Fort Union stood along a route that carried not only goods and travelers, but also ideas, languages, and traditions between cultures.

As Hispanic Heritage Month begins, sites like Fort Union remind us that the nation's story has been shaped by centuries of cultural exchange. From food and music to language, art, and community traditions, Hispanic influences continue to enrich everyday life across the United States.