On September 15, National Hispanic Heritage Month officially begins, a time to commemorate the passion, culture, and history established by members of the Hispanic and Latino community.
To describe someone’s ethnicity, they use Hispanic (or Latino) (or Latinx, which is more recent).
When filling out the 2020 Census form, those who identified as Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican or Cuban were counted in the Hispanic/Latino/Spanish category.
When California Congressman George E. Brown initially proposed Hispanic Heritage Month in June 1968, it was a commemorative week.
Hispanic Americans were honored every year from 1968 through 1988 by Presidents Nixon, Ford, Carter, and Reagan.
Representative Esteban Torres (D-California) sponsored legislation in 1987 to extend Hispanic Heritage Week into a month-long celebration. The bill failed. When it came to celebrating Hispanic culture and achievements, Torres, a proud Mexican-American, wanted more time to “fully observe and plan festivities”
National Hispanic Heritage Month was declared for the first time by President George H.W. Bush in the 31-day period from September 15 to October 15.
Several Latin American countries celebrate their independence during the Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15.
Several Latin American countries celebrate their independence on September 15, including Costa Rica (September 15) and El Salvador (September 15). September 15, 1821 was the date when these five nations declared their independence from the Spanish Empire. That same time range coincides with the independence celebrations of countries such as Mexico, Chile, and Belize (see below).
All aspects of American society and culture have been influenced by Latinxs. This includes the arts as well as the sciences.
Hispanics have overtaken non-Hispanic white people as the country’s second-largest racial or ethnic group, according to the most recent census data from 2010.
There are now 62.1 million Latinxs living in the United States, with the largest concentrations in New York, California, Texas, and Florida.
Many events are held across the country to honor Hispanic Heritage Month including those held by the National Park Service. Often there are parades or festivals or concerts or talks or community gatherings (many of them virtual) that teach people about exceptional Latinx and their contributions because the beauty and strength of America rest in its diversity.
Source: miami.cbslocal.com