Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to honor and celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from places like Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Nearly 19% of people in the United States identify as Hispanic.
Hispanic Heritage Month initially began as a weeklong celebration in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson. In 1988 President Ronald Reagan extended the week to a full 31 days — through October 15 — keeping the September 15 start date because it coincides with national independence day of Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Mexico celebrates independence on the 16th, Chile on the 18th and Belize on the 21st. Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
#HispanicHeritageMonth is a time to honor and celebrate the Latino Americans who paved the way for the next generation. Join us!
(Pictured above: (l) Isamar García-Hernández, VOTE Manager for the League of Women Voters US, and (r) Dolores Huerta: The Civil Rights Icon Who Showed Farmworkers 'Sí Se Puede'
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