In 2022, Hispanics made up nearly 1 in 5 people in the US. The largest number of Hispanics (roughly 37.4 million people) making up 60% of the nation’s hispanic population, are of Mexican origin; the second largest group are hispanics of Puerto Rican Origin, totaling 5.9 million people, excluding the island itself. As a quick definition, the terms “hispanic” or “latino” refer to a person’s culture or origin, regardless of race. That being said, hispanics are the largest racial or ethnic group in California and Texas, and Hispanic populations in Northeastern metro areas (where we live!) are much more internally diverse. Evidently, Latinos are embedded in the fabric of the US.
While this celebration may last a month now, it began as a commemorative week when it was first introduced in June of 1968 by California Congressman George E. Brown. On September 17, 1968, Congress passed Public Law 90-48, which requested the president to issue annual proclamations declaring September 15 and 16 to mark the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Week; President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first proclamation that same day.
September 15th was not a date picked out of a hat, as it holds significance for millions. On September 15, 1821, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua all declared independence against Spain. Those five countries aren’t the only ones that celebrate their independence dates in the month of September. Mexico declared their independence on September 16, 1810, and Chile celebrates their independence on September 18, 1810. Belize declared its independence on September 21, 1981.
This week of recognition was later extended to a whole month in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush, a sponsor of the original Hispanic Heritage Week resolution when he served in the house. The purpose of the expansion was so that the nation could better observe and coordinate events/activities to celebrate both Hispanic culture and Hispanic achievement.
This month is often celebrated by embracing Hispanic culture, either through the food, the language, the music, the dancing, the clothes, or the art. It is also used as a time to reflect on the history of Hispanics in the US, both the triumphs and the tragedies.
Comments