Hispanic Influence in the United States

Columbus' First Voyage to the Americas

Oct 14, 1492

Christopher Columbus lands on the island of Hispaniola which consists of the country of Haiit and the Dominican Republic. A misconception is that he discovered America.

First Hispanic Heritage Week

Sep 15, 1968

Hispanic Heritage week celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, MexicoThe observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson.

First Hispanic Baseball Hall of Fame

Mar 20, 1973

Roberto Clemente becomes first Hispanic inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Sep 15, 1988

Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. President Regan expanded it to a month long celebration in 1988.

First Hispanic inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Jan 12, 1998

Carlos Santana was the first Hispanic inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

First Supreme Court Hispanic Judge

May 26, 2009

Sonya Sotomayor became the first Hispanic American woman to be nominated to a seat in the U.S. Supreme Court

Population 2011

Jul 1, 2011

52.0 million was the Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2011, making people of Hispanic origin the nation's largest ethnic or race minority. Hispanics constituted 16.7 percent of the nation's total population. In addition, there are 3.7 million residents of Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory.

Population 2050

Jul 1, 2050

The projected Hispanic population in the U.S. is 132.8 million which will constitute 30% of nation's population.