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September 15, 2021

Hispanic Heritage Month 2021

During Hispanic Heritage Month, at MNHC we celebrate people who are proud of their Latin American roots and also those who love the Latino culture.

People identify differently; some prefer to be called Latinx while others ask to be referred to as Latinos, or Chicanos, or Mexican American, or Hispanos.

Perhaps the most important part is that the US Government recognizes and celebrates our communities.

Here is what the White House Hispanic Prosperity Initiative/U.S. Department of Education says about #HHM2021: Hispanic Heritage Month takes place September 15 to October 15 every year as a time to recognize and celebrate the many contributions, diverse cultures, and extensive histories of the American Latino community.

Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week” under President Lyndon Johnson, but it was later extended to a month during President Ronald Reagan’s term in 1988. Since then, the month has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and much more.

The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th. They also include holidays that recognize Hispanic contributions such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands and the culture and contributions of people from Spanish-speaking countries outside of Latin America.

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