What is Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the U.S. every year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. Here’s what we know about this celebration.
Dwight Adams, dwight.adams@indystar.com
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the United States celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month.
It’s a 30-day celebration dedicated to commemorating the contributions that Americans with Mexican, Central American, South American, Caribbean and Spanish heritage, as well as natives of these nations — a community that comprises 19.1% of the total U.S. population — have made to the country.
This year’s theme is “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together,” centering on trailblazing Latinos and how they inspire today’s youth. Throughout the month, all kinds of celebrations will be organized in multiple cities, including Latino-centric concerts, food festivals, art exhibits, markets, parades and more.
What is the origin behind Hispanic Heritage Month, and why is it still celebrated? Here’s what to know.
What is Hispanic Heritage Month and why do we celebrate it?
From Sunday, Sept. 15, and through the middle of October, celebrations across the U.S. and Arizona will highlight the accomplishments and contributions of communities of Latino and Hispanic heritage.
The celebration began in 1968, when it started as “Hispanic Heritage Week” under President Lyndon B. Johnson. It took place during the week of Aug. 15.
It was 20 years later, on August 17, 1988, that President Ronald Reagan expanded the celebration to its current 30-day period, chosen as such due to the many Central and South American countries that celebrate their independence during those days.
Hispanic Heritage Month 2024: Ultimate guide to celebrating Latino culture in Arizona
Which countries celebrate their independence during Hispanic Heritage Month?
During Hispanic Heritage Month, the anniversary of the independence of several Latin American countries that emancipated themselves from the Spanish monarchy is celebrated. These are:
Sept. 15: Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Costa RicaSept. 16: MexicoSept. 18: ChileSept. 21: Belize – While not under Spanish rule, the small Latin American country managed to gain independence from British rule in 1981.What percentage of the US is Latino?
According to data from the US Census Bureau from 2022, Hispanics and Latinos comprise 19.1% of the country’s total population, accumulating 63.7 million inhabitants.
Arizona, California, North Carolina, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington are the states that reported a population of 1 million or more Hispanics and Latinos.
The Hispanic and Latino population in Arizona was 2.3 million in 2021, according to census data, representing just over 33% of the total population.
What is the difference between Latino and Hispanic?
The terms Latino and Hispanic are often used interchangeably, but there is a slight difference between the two. Latinos are people who come from a nation in Latin America, including Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.
While Hispanics can come from Latin American countries, except Brazil and Haiti, they also come from Spain. This is because they are Spanish-speaking countries. The nations of Brazil and Haiti do not have a Hispanic community since the languages spoken here are Portuguese (Brazil) and French (Haiti).
That is why the answer to “Are Latinos celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month?” is a resounding yes. All Hispanics celebrated during this month, with the exception of Spaniards, are Latinos.
Have story tips on Latino communities in the Valley? Reach La Voz reporter Paula Soria at psoriaaguilar@gannett.com.
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Publish date : 2024-09-15 02:00:00
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