More than half of Americans don't know Hispanic history basics

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When it comes to Hispanic Heritage Month (https://talker.news/2023/09/29/do-americans-know-the-difference-between-hispanic-and-latino/), Americans’ knowledge is more miss than hit.

A survey by Talker Research (https://talkerresearch.com/most-americans-dont-know-when-hispanic-heritage-month-is-or-who-was-the-first-hispanic-supreme-court-justice/) of 2,000 Americans found that over half (53%) had no idea who was the first Hispanic person to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court.

Three in 10 (31%) correctly identified Sonia Sotomayor as the first Hispanic person to serve on the nation’s top bench.

Six percent erroneously thought Samuel Alito was the first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, with 4% mistakenly selecting Thurgood Marshall and 3% thought it was Sandra Day O’Connor or Hugo Black.

Only a third of Americans (34%) also correctly identified that Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

Gen Z and millennials (48% vs. 41%) were more likely to select the correct dates, compared to Gen X and baby boomers (29% vs. 31%).

When asked which Hispanic politician they think has the best chance of being president of the United States, 26% selected Secretary of State Marco Rubio as their top choice.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) came in at a distant second with 15% of the votes, followed by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) (8%) and Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) (3%).

Surprisingly, 23% of women and 31% of men preferred Rubio over Ocasio-Cortez (15% vs 15%, respectively), indicating they were more aligned with the top diplomat’s views.

Gen Zers were more likely to support New York’s top democratic socialist (18%), versus millennials, Gen Xers and baby boomers, who favored the former Florida senator with a combined 74%.

Rubio and Ocasio-Cortez have recently made headlines as possible presidential favorites, but according to NBC News (https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2028-election/marco-rubio-president-rcna596807), Rubio says he has “no plans at this time” to run.

In an Aug. 9 interview with ABC News’ “This Week (https://abcnews.com/Politics/week-transcript-8-9-26-rep-alexandria-ocasio/story?id=135487690), ” Ocasio-Cortez said she hasn’t “ruled out the possibility” of running for president.

Elsewhere in the survey, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.), and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) were tied for 2%.

Only 1% thought Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) and Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) barely had a chance.

However, 38% of Americans think none of the above politicians have what it takes to lead the nation.

This may be why 40% think it’s more important than ever to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, given the recent political climate.

Survey methodology

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans who have access to the internet; the survey was administered and conducted online by Talker Research between Aug 13 and Aug 19, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.

To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.

Survey questions

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