While the origins of the term can be traced back to the 1970s, it was officially adopted by the U.S. Census Bureau in 1980 as a way to categorize individuals with origins in Spain, Latin America, or Spain's former colonies.
It's important to note that the term "Hispanic" has been a subject of debate and criticism, with some arguing that it's too broad and does not accurately reflect the diverse cultural identities and experiences of people from these regions.
The term "Latinx" has emerged as an alternative, aiming to be more inclusive and gender-neutral.