HCA Newsletter

Hispanic Heritage month runs from September 15^th to October 15^th. It begins on the 15^th of September because 5 Central American countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, and Nicaragua – all declared independence from Spain on September 15^th, 1821, and Mexico declared independence on September 16^th, 1810. In 1968, California became the first state to officially recognize a Hispanic Heritage celebration, and then later in 1968, the US Congress declared it a national celebration. The celebration aims to acknowledge and appreciate all of the contributions that those with Latin/Hispanic heritage have made in American society. Hispanics make up the largest racial or ethnic group in the US with over 62 million people, or nearly 19% of the total population.
The Hispanic contribution to America and American culture is massive and will continue to grow. One of every four children in the US today has Latin/Hispanic heritage, and the contribution of future generations of Latin/Hispanic Americans will continue to influence American culture as a whole. Latin/Hispanic American culture has been underrepresented in the conversation in American history, both in the textbooks and the oral history that Americans are taught. It is incredibly important for all Americans to learn about and to celebrate the rich traditions and contributions that Latin/ Hispanic Americans have had on all of us.
If you want to celebrate Latin/Hispanic Heritage month, there are many easy ways to do so. You can support a Latin/Hispanic-owned business, attend a cultural celebration, read a book or watch a movie about the Latin/Hispanic story, or volunteer your time for a Latin/Hispanic advocacy foundation. What is most important, however, is to implement the practice of cultural celebration into your everyday life and to appreciate the sheer amount of culture and diversity that America has to offer.