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By Alberto O. Cappas
The Buffalo News published an edited version of my article. Here is my original draft for those interested in the writing process and how ideas evolve. The Buffalo News version was published Wednesday, September 16, 2026, and did an excellent job in their editing. Here is my original article:
As Hispanic Heritage Month begins, communities across the United States begins to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of people whose ancestors came from Latin America. But the origins of this national observance are often misunderstood. Hispanic Heritage Month was intentionally placed between September 15 and October 15 because many Latin American nations won their independence from Spain during this period. The celebration is rooted in the political history of liberation — not simply cultural expression. Below are the Latin American countries that achieved independence from Spain:
Paraguay — May 14, 1811
Venezuela — July 5, 1811
Colombia — 1813
Argentina — July 9, 1816
Chile — February 12, 1818
Ecuador — May 24, 1822
Costa Rica — 1821
Dominican Republic — 1865 (final independence)
El Salvador — 1821
Guatemala — 1821
Honduras — 1821
Mexico — September 27, 1821
Nicaragua — 1821
Peru — July 28, 1821
Bolivia — August 6, 1825
These dates form the historical backbone of Hispanic Heritage Month. They remind us that this celebration was created to honor the nations that fought for — and won — their freedom from colonial rule.
Puerto Rico: The Oldest Colony in the World: One nation is notably absent from this list: Puerto Rico. People need to be educated that Puerto Rico never achieved independence from Spain. Four centuries of Spanish rule, the island was ceded to the United States in 1898 following the Spanish-American War. Puerto Rico did not become a sovereign state; it simply moved from one colonial ruler to another. Today, Puerto Rico remains an unincorporated territory of the United States, making it the oldest colony in the world. This political reality sets Puerto Rico apart from every other country recognized during Hispanic Heritage Month. Puerto Rico celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with pride — and rightfully so. Its cultural, linguistic, artistic, and historical contributions are immense. But it is important to understand that Puerto Rico is the only “country” in the celebration that is still a colony, and the only one that never won independence from Spain.
The Erased Struggles of Taíno and African Ancestors. The fact that the historical roots of the Taíno and African struggles against Spanish and American violence, abuse, genocide, and the long-standing desire for a Free Puerto Rico are omitted from most cultural events deprives our general community of learning our true history.
Hispanic Heritage Month is not just about “Kool-Aid history,” arts, food, and colorful cultural displays. It must also confront the realities of colonization, resistance, and survival. We must do justice to our Taíno and African ancestors, whose courage and suffering form the foundation of Puerto Rican identity. This month offers a powerful opportunity to educate the general community, deepen historical understanding, and honor the people whose stories are too often left out.
