Hispanic Heritage Month is part of our history!

Little known fact #1: The Origin of Hispanic Heritage Month:

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson (D) to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week including September 15th and 16th. In 1988, National Hispanic Heritage Week was expanded by President Ronald Reagan (R) to become Hispanic Heritage month, beginning on September 15th and ending on October 15th.

Little known fact #2: What is celebrated during Hispanic Heritage month:

In the United States we celebrate the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Little known fact #3: Why Hispanic Heritage Month begins in the middle of a month:

September 15th was chosen as the starting point for Hispanic Heritage Month because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Also, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days in the few days following September 15th, on the 16th and the 18th, respectively.

Little Known fact #4: The origin of the word Hispanic:

The word Hispanic is derived from Hispania, the name given by the Romans to the entire Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar). Depending on whom you ask, Portuguese and Brazilians may or may not refer to themselves as Hispanics.

The usage of Hispanic as an ethnic indicator in the United States is believed to have come into mainstream prominence following its inclusion in a question in the 1980 U.S. Census, which asked people to voluntarily identify if they were of “Spanish/Hispanic origin or descent.” The term Hispanic is currently used to refer to Spanish-speaking people in the United States of any race.

Little Known Fact #5: The US Hispanic population:

Currently there are over 44 million Hispanics in the US, with that number expected to surpass 100 million by 2050. The current population of 44 million plus makes US Hispanics the 3rd largest Hispanic population in the world, behind Mexico (106 million), and Colombia (43 million).

Little Known Fact #6: Hispanic firsts:

First Hispanic Member of the US Congress: Joseph Marion Hernández (1822) delegate from the Florida territory

First Hispanic U.S. cabinet member: Lauro F. Cavazos, 1988–1990, Secretary of Education.

First Hispanic U.S. Surgeon General: Antonia Coello Novello, 1990–1993. She was also the first woman ever to hold the position. (Puerto Rican)

First Hispanic Major League Baseball Hall of Fame inductee: Roberto Clemente, 1973. He was also the first Hispanic player to serve on the Players Association Board and to reach 3,000 hits. (also Puerto Rican)

First Hispanic Best Actor Oscar winner: José Ferrer, 1950, Cyrano de Bergerac (also Puerto Rican)

First Hispanic Best Supporting Actress Oscar winner: Rita Moreno, 1961, West Side Story. (also Puerto Rican)

First Hispanic Best Supporting Actor Oscar Winner: Benecio Del Toro, 2000, Traffic. (also Puerto Rican)

Lester.K.Stubbs ATL/MIA