Hispanic Heritage Month — recognizing the many contributions and diverse cultures of Hispanics in the U.S. — is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
In 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to issue an annual proclamation designating National Hispanic Heritage Week. Two decades later, lawmakers extended the length of the celebration to a month, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
MyMCM and Hola Montgomery highlight the contributions and growth of the Hispanic community in Montgomery County.
The timing of the celebration is significant. Sept. 15 marks the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
According to U.S. Census data, as of July 1, 2021, the Hispanic population in the United States is 62.6 million — 18.9% of the total population — making people of Hispanic origin the largest ethnic or racial minority in the country.
