This is Hispanic Heritage Month. The very fact that many are unaware of Hispanic Heritage Month is probably why we all need to join the celebration.
There are cultural celebrations sprinkled throughout the calendar. We know the Month of February is Black History Month. We also celebrate with the Irish on St. Patrick’s Day and with the Italian community on Columbus Day.
We are living in a huge salad bowl that has so many cultures represented that most of us know very little about the various cultures around us.
Although we are surrounded by Hispanic friends and co-workers, we know very little about them, except the stereotypes we see in movies or comic strips.
There are more than 60.6 million Hispanics in the United States, that’s about 18 percent of the entire population.
Latinos have contributed, and continue to contribute to the development of the United States and their contribution is just as important as that other ethnic groups in American
Actually, we are almost at the end of Hispanic Heritage Month because it is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. This time period was chosen because there are several Latin American independence days celebrated during that time period, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (who all celebrate their Independence Day on September 15th), Mexico (which celebrates its Independence Day on September 16th) and Chile (which celebrates its Independence Day on September 17th).
However, the origin of the festivities dates back to September 1968, when the 36th President of the United States, Lyndon B. Johnson, signed an executive order for the creation of Hispanic Heritage Week that began on September 17th each year.
It wasn’t until 1988 that the observance went from one week to 30 days, thanks to the 40th President, Ronald Reagan, who chose to extend the observance of Hispanic Heritage to a month. Since then, it has been held every year around the US through festivals, shows, art, conferences, community gatherings and many more events.
Let us all join the celebration, honoring Latinos and commemorating all of their contributions to the United States.
Because of COVID-19 restrictions many of the activities will be curtailed nationwide. However, Much of the festivities will take place virtually or will be postponed, but the cultural celebration wherever possible should be shared by all.
¡Feliz mes Hispano!
