Hispanic Heritage Month

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, whose roots go back to 1968 when President Lyndon B. Johnson started the observation as Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law #100-402. We are reminded of the important contributions and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States.

The term Hispanic or Latino refers collectively to the inhabitants of the United States who are of Latin American or Spanish origin such as Puerto Ricans, South or Central Americans, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.  

September 15th is the anniversary of independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize share their independence during this month.

Hispanics constitute of 17% approximately 55 million of the nation’s total population. Puerto Rican population is over 5 million, as of 2012.