Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated every year in the US from September 15 to October 15. During this month, Americans across the country pay tribute to the contributions that generations of Latin Americans have made to the heritage and culture of this nation.
Before Hispanic Heritage Month was commemorated in the United States, it was celebrated annually as Hispanic Heritage Week. The idea of celebrating Hispanic heritage initially began as a week-long observance in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johnson and was later expanded to a full month 20 years later by President Ronald Reagan.
An annual event or holiday to take pride in celebrating someone’s ethnicity, Latinos and Hispanic Americans use this as an opportunity to honor their respective cultures and ancestral backgrounds.
From concerts and parades to food fairs and “carne asadas”, this is a time for recognition, education and of course celebration, that’s why there are some companies where you can find everything you need for these special occasions like For Your Party , MY M&Ms, Windy City Novelties, Quill and Sam’s Club.
The timing of Hispanic Heritage Month deliberately overlaps with various Latin American Independence Day celebrations. September 15 was chosen as the start date, since it coincides with the Independence Day celebrations of five countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua), followed by Mexico on September 16, Chile on 18 and Belize on 21.
Another important date that falls within this 30-day period is the Día de la Raza or Día de los Pueblos Indígenas, which is celebrated in Mexico on October 12. As in other Spanish-speaking countries.
According to the latest US Census data, the Hispanic/Latino population reached 62.1 million, making this community the largest minority group in the country.
Latino Libre USA is a nationally syndicated public radio show distributed by NPR that brings together a diverse set of Latino voices to shine a light on current cultural, political, and social issues affecting the Latino community and our nation today.
Central to this month-long celebration are the events that many cities across the US strive to host. Events can include traditional dances, live music, art exhibits, and food stalls.
In total, there are 20 Hispanic countries and one territory: Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain , Uruguay and Venezuela.