Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month!

Hispanic Heritage Month is observed annually from September 15th to October 15th. The start date, September 15th, marks the El Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Costa Rican, Nicaragua, and Honduras Independence Days and the proceeding to September 16th which is Mexico’s Independence Day and then the 18th which is Chile’s.

This month typically honors the contributions that both Latino and Hispanic people have made. This years winning theme is:

“Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope”

On September 14th The White House released “A Proclamation on National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2021.” In the proclamation they said “During National Hispanic Heritage Month, we recognize that Hispanic heritage is American heritage.  We see it in every aspect of our national life:  on our television and movie screens, in the music that moves our feet, and in the foods we enjoy.  We benefit from the many contributions of Hispanic scientists working in labs across the country to help us fight COVID-19 and the doctors and the nurses on the front lines caring for people’s health.” President Biden then proceeds to proclaims September 15th through October 15th of every year as National Hispanic Heritage Month. President Lydon B. Johnson stated it originally as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968, but was expanded to a month by President Ronald Reagen in 1988.

Did You Know

• The United States Hispanic population has reacher 62 million people, making up 18.7% of the US population. (According to the 2020 Decennial Census)
• From 2010 to 2020 the US population grew by 22.7 million and Hispanics accounted for around 51% of this.
• According to the Minority Veterans Report by the Department of Veterans Affairs, over 1.2 million vets in the US are of Hispanic or Latino descent. However, the military sacrifice and service of Hispanic Americans stretch back to the Revolutionary War. Hispanic soldiers have fought in every single war, both on and off American soil.
• Hispanic culture has influenced so much of American life. Cowboy hats, rodeos, and ranching are all from Spain and Mexico. State names like Montana, Colorado, and Nevada come from Spanish words.
• There are currently 46 Hispanic/Latino White House and Senate members.