By GISSELE GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
Each year, Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) is celebrated throughout the United States to recognize Hispanic-American culture, contributions, and achievements of those of Spaniard, Mexican, Caribbean, and Central/South American descent. In 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month began as “Hispanic Heritage Week,” which was later extended by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
On September 15, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate the anniversary of their independence, with Mexico and Chile celebrating shortly after on September 16 and September 18. Since then, the month has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and donations while also honoring influential Hispanic figures.
As diversity in the US has continued to grow, the Hispanic population has become the nation’s second-fastest-growing ethnic group, which has reached a record of 62.1 million and accounts for 18.7% of the total US population. In the September 14, 2021, presidential proclamation issued by Joe Biden, it is well captured how soon Hispanic and American communities will conjoin:
“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. Our Nation is represented by Hispanic diplomats who share our values in countries all over the world and strengthened by military members and their families who serve and sacrifice for the United States. Our communities are represented by Hispanic elected officials, and our children are taught by Hispanic teachers. Our future will be shaped by Hispanic engineers who are working to develop new technology that will help us grasp our clean energy future and by the skilled union workers who are going to build it.”