Hispanic Heritage Month was created initially as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, established by legislation sponsored by Rep. George Brown Jr. and signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson. It celebrated the week including September 15 and 16. Later, in 1988, the celebration was expanded to a month, from September 15 to October 15. This expansion was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, through Public Law 100-402, sponsored by Rep. Esteban Torres and amended by Senator Paul Simon, and signed by President Ronald Reagan.
