100+ Hispanic Heritage Month Day Trivia Questions & Answers

Question: When is National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrated annually?

Answer: September 15 to October 15

Question: Who signed the legislation establishing National Hispanic Heritage Week?

Answer: President Lyndon Johnson

Question: In what year was National Hispanic Heritage Month expanded to a month?

Answer: 1988

Question: Who sponsored the legislation to expand Hispanic Heritage Week to a month?

Answer: Rep. Esteban Torres

Question: Which president signed the legislation to expand Hispanic Heritage Week to a month?

Answer: President Ronald Reagan

Question: Why was September 15 chosen as the starting point for National Hispanic Heritage Month?

Answer: It is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores

Question: What event marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence?

Answer: Cry of Dolores

Question: Which five Central American nations celebrate their independence on September 15?

Answer: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua

Question: When does Mexico commemorate its independence?

Answer: September 16

Question: Which country commemorates its independence on September 18?

Answer: Chile

Question: Which holiday is celebrated within Hispanic Heritage Month and also known as Día de la Raza?

Answer: Columbus Day

Question: Which president first proclaimed Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968?

Answer: President Lyndon Johnson

Question: When did President George H. W. Bush first proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Month?

Answer: September 14, 1989

Question: How many presidents have given a proclamation to mark Hispanic Heritage Month since 1989?

Answer: All Presidents since 1989

Question: What year did President Lyndon Johnson sign the legislation for Hispanic Heritage Week?

Answer: 1968

Question: Who was the primary sponsor of the legislation establishing National Hispanic Heritage Week?

Answer: Rep. George Brown Jr.

Question: Which president amended the legislation to expand Hispanic Heritage Week to a month?

Answer: Senator Paul Simon

Question: How many people of Hispanic heritage have been awarded the Medal of Honor?

Answer: Sixty-one

Question: What percentage of the U.S. Army was composed of Hispanic soldiers as of September 2018?

Answer: 13.8%

Question: What is the goal of the U.S. Army during Hispanic Heritage Month?

Answer: To celebrate the diverse and inclusive environment

Question: How many Hispanic soldiers were serving in the U.S. Army as of September 2018?

Answer: 136,000

Question: What percentage of Major League Baseball players were Hispanic/Latino as of opening day in 2023?

Answer: About 30%

Question: Who was the first Hispanic MLB team owner?

Answer: Linda Alvarado

Question: What organization created the Hispanic Star platform?

Answer: We Are All Human Foundation

Question: What annual event in the Bronx coincides with National Hispanic Heritage Month?

Answer: El Barrio Latin Jazz Festival

Question: How many Hispanic Americans have been awarded the Medal of Honor?

Answer: Sixty-one

Question: How many Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients were members of the U.S. Marine Corps?

Answer: Thirteen

Question: How many Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients were members of the U.S. Army?

Answer: Forty-six

Question: How many Hispanic Medal of Honor recipients were members of the Navy?

Answer: Two

Question: Which organization established the annual Northwest Arkansas Hispanic Heritage Festival?

Answer: The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce

Question: In which city is the El Barrio Latin Jazz Festival held annually?

Answer: The Bronx, New York City

Question: What is the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian's event during Hispanic Heritage Month?

Answer: Realm of the Jaguar

Question: Where is the Hispanic Family Festival held annually?

Answer: Springdale Park in Springdale, Holyoke, Massachusetts

Question: What year did the Official Latino Short Film Festival begin?

Answer: 2015

Question: Which foundation created the Hispanic Star platform?

Answer: We Are All Human Foundation

Question: Who performed at the Hispanic Star virtual kick-off in 2020?

Answer: Residente and Fonseca

Question: What was the purpose of the Hispanic Star virtual kick-off in 2020?

Answer: To discuss Hispanic heritage and pride

Question: What was launched by the Hispanic Star on April 15, 2021?

Answer: 2021 Hispanic Heritage Month toolkit

Question: What is the Smithsonian Institution's Hispanic Heritage Month event at the zoo called?

Answer: Zoo Fiesta

Question: Which Latina pilot made history in the United States Air Force?

Answer: Olga E. Custodio

Question: What was Linda Alvarado's significant achievement in MLB?

Answer: First Hispanic MLB team owner

Question: Who was the first Latina US Military pilot?

Answer: Olga E. Custodio

Question: Which city hosts the Northwest Arkansas Hispanic Heritage Festival?

Answer: Fayetteville, Arkansas

Question: When was the Hispanic Family Festival first held?

Answer: Established in 2013

Question: Which event features dances of Bolivia, Mexico, and Guatemala?

Answer: Realm of the Jaguar at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

Question: Which organization created the Hispanic Star platform?

Answer: We Are All Human Foundation

Question: What annual event in the Bronx coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month?

Answer: El Barrio Latin Jazz Festival

Question: Who is known for crafting ceramics with a modern, hip-hop style twist?

Answer: Roberto Lugo

Question: What percentage of the U.S. Navy and Marines are of Hispanic heritage as of June 2018?

Answer: Approximately 59,000

Question: What is the name of the Smithsonian's annual Hispanic Heritage Month event featuring animal-related activities?

Answer: Zoo Fiesta

Question: Who was the first Latina to go to space?

Answer: Dr. Ellen Ochoa

Question: Which civil rights activist co-founded the National Farm Workers Association?

Answer: Cesar Chavez

Question: Who is the first Latina Supreme Court Justice?

Answer: Sonia Sotomayor

Question: Who created the Broadway musicals Hamilton and In the Heights?

Answer: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Question: Who was the first Latina US Military pilot?

Answer: Olga E. Custodio

Question: Which fashion designer launched a clothing brand in New York in 1981?

Answer: Carolina Herrera

Question: Who was the first Latina to be named a MacArthur Fellow?

Answer: Sandra Cisneros

Question: Which Dominican-born fashion icon became the first Dominican to design for a French couture house?

Answer: Oscar de la Renta

Question: Who is known as the "Queen of Tejano"?

Answer: Selena

Question: Who won a Golden Globe and continues to be a strong voice for the Latino community?

Answer: Gina Rodriguez

Question: Which Cuban American performance artist was inspired by her experience of exile?

Answer: Ana Mendieta

Question: Who is a pioneer of the American Salsa music style?

Answer: Willie Colón

Question: Who uses art as a tool to empower communities and tells stories through murals?

Answer: Judith "Judy" Baca

Question: Who fought for women and children to have increased access to healthcare?

Answer: Helen Rodríguez-Trías

Question: Which Cuban American actor has fought for improved representation of Latinos in entertainment?

Answer: Andy García

Question: Who is known as the "Queen of Salsa"?

Answer: Celia Cruz

Question: Who was the first Latina director of the Johnson Space Center?

Answer: Dr. Ellen Ochoa

Question: Who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association?

Answer: Cesar Chavez

Question: Who is the first Latina and third woman to serve on the Supreme Court?

Answer: Sonia Sotomayor

Question: Who received the Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award?

Answer: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Question: Who is known for designing timeless, stylish pieces and launched her brand in 1981?

Answer: Carolina Herrera

Question: Who is the leading Latina voice in literature and a National Medal of the Arts recipient?

Answer: Sandra Cisneros

Question: Which fashion designer's work is synonymous with elegance, innovation, and luxury?

Answer: Oscar de la Renta

Question: Who became the first Tejano artist to win a Grammy?

Answer: Selena

Question: Who created innovative works inspired by her experience of exile and displacement?

Answer: Ana Mendieta

Question: What are Venezuelan fried cheese sticks called?

Answer: Tequeños

Question: What is a popular Peruvian dessert made of caramel meringue pudding?

Answer: Suspiro a la limeña

Question: What holiday dish consists of cornmeal dough stuffed with stewed meat?

Answer: Hallaca

Question: What dish consists of seasoned chicken and rice?

Answer: Arroz con pollo

Question: What are pastries stuffed with ingredients like beef or chicken called?

Answer: Empanadas

Question: What traditional Mexican stew is made from hominy and meat?

Answer: Pozole

Question: What are fried slices of unripe plantains called?

Answer: Tostones

Question: What is a thin meat cutlet that is breaded and fried?

Answer: Milanesa

Question: What traditional Brazilian dessert is made with sweetened condensed milk and cocoa powder?

Answer: Brigadeiros

Question: What caramel-like sauce is made from milk and sugar?

Answer: Dulce de leche

Question: What is recognized as the national dish of Venezuela?

Answer: Pabellón criollo

Question: What Salvadoran dish is made of thick corn tortillas stuffed with savory foods?

Answer: Pupusas

Question: What Venezuelan staple food are grilled corn cakes often stuffed with different fillings?

Answer: Arepas

Question: What Argentinean sauce is traditionally used on grilled meat?

Answer: Chimichurri

Question: What traditional Mexican dish is made with hominy, meat, and seasonings?

Answer: Pozole

Question: What are sliced, unripe plantains that have been fried called?

Answer: Tostones

Question: What traditional Brazilian dessert consists of sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, and chocolate?

Answer: Brigadeiros

Question: What is a popular dish of shredded beef, rice, beans, and fried plantains in Venezuela?

Answer: Pabellón criollo

Question: What traditional dish is made of thick corn tortillas and stuffed with cheese, pork, and beans?

Answer: Pupusas

Question: What staple in Venezuelan cuisine are grilled corn cakes stuffed with fillings like cheese or meat?

Answer: Arepas

Question: What versatile sauce consists of ingredients like parsley, oregano, garlic, and vinegar?

Answer: Chimichurri

Question: What traditional dish from Brazil includes sweetened condensed milk, cocoa powder, and butter?

Answer: Brigadeiros

Question: What caramel-like sauce popular in desserts is made from milk and sugar?

Answer: Dulce de leche

Question: What holiday dish from Venezuela includes cornmeal dough and stewed meat?

Answer: Hallaca

Question: What dish includes seasoned chicken and rice and has many variations?

Answer: Arroz con Pollo

Question: What is the difference between Hispanic and Latino?

Answer: Hispanic signals a connection to Spain or the Spanish language; Latino describes people with ties to Latin America or the Caribbean.

Question: What is the largest racial or ethnic group in the United States?

Answer: Latinos, making up 18.9% of the total population.

Question: Which term does the National Museum of the American Latino prefer to use?

Answer: Latino

Question: What is Hispanic Heritage Month important for?

Answer: Celebrating the integral part the Hispanic/Latino community has had in the United States.

Question: How many people of Hispanic heritage were serving in the U.S. Navy and Marines as of June 2018?

Answer: Approximately 59,000

Question: Who is recognized as the "Queen of Tejano"?

Answer: Selena Quintanilla

Question: What holiday is associated with Hispanic Heritage Month and celebrated on October 12?

Answer: Día de la Raza

Question: What is the significance of September 15 for Hispanic Heritage Month?

Answer: Independence Day for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua

Question: Who became the first Latina to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court?

Answer: Sonia Sotomayor

Question: Who co-founded the National Farm Workers Association?

Answer: Cesar Chavez

Question: Who was the first Hispanic MLB team owner?

Answer: Linda Alvarado

Question: What traditional Mexican stew is made from hominy and meat?

Answer: Pozole

Question: What popular Peruvian dessert consists of caramel meringue pudding?

Answer: Suspiro a la limeña

Question: What caramel-like sauce made from milk and sugar is popular in desserts?

Answer: Dulce de leche

Question: What are thick corn tortillas stuffed with savory foods called in El Salvador?

Answer: Pupusas

Question: What sauce from Argentina is traditionally used on grilled meat?

Answer: Chimichurri

Question: What Brazilian dessert is made from sweetened condensed milk and cocoa powder?

Answer: Brigadeiros

Question: What is the national dish of Venezuela?

Answer: Pabellón criollo

Question: What is celebrated on September 16 in Mexico?

Answer: Independence Day

Question: Who was the first Latina US Military pilot?

Answer: Olga E. Custodio

Question: What was Cesar Chavez known for?

Answer: Fighting to improve working and living conditions for agricultural workers

Question: What did Sandra Cisneros become the first Latina to receive in 1995?

Answer: MacArthur Fellowship

Question: What holiday is celebrated on October 12 and coincides with Hispanic Heritage Month?

Answer: Día de la Raza

Question: Who received a posthumous Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2016 Grammys?

Answer: Celia Cruz

Question: What is the official language of most Latin American countries?

Answer: Spanish