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Hispanic Heritage Month Facts

Hispanic Heritage Month Facts
In the United States the period from September 15th to October 15th is National Hispanic Heritage Month. It was approved by former United States President Lyndon Johnson. President Ronald Reagan expanded it to its present length in 1988. It became law on August 17th, 1988. National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on the anniversary of the independence of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, El Salvador and Costa Rica. It is also meant to celebrate the long history of Latino and Hispanic Americans in North America, as well as their heritage. National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.
Interesting Hispanic Heritage Month Facts:
National Hispanic Heritage Month is meant to celebrate the customs, legacies and achievements of United States citizens with Hispanic roots.
Mexico celebrates their independence on September 16th.
Chile celebrates their independence on September 18th.
Belize celebrates their independence on September 21st.
The first year that Hispanic heritage was celebrated on a national level was 1968, when it began as a week-long celebration.
The length of National Hispanic Heritage Month goes until October 15th, a few days day past the date that Christopher Columbus discovered America, October 12th.
Celebrations for National Hispanic Heritage Month include film screenings, concerts, festivals with food and crafts and other goods, and museum exhibits.
There are approximately 53 million individuals of Hispanic ancestry in the United States today.
Hispanics are the largest ethnic or race minority in the United States, making up approximately 17% of the population.
It is estimated that by the year 2060, the Hispanic population in the United States will constitute approximately 31% of the population.
Of the Hispanic population in the United States, approximately 65% are from a Mexican heritage.
The following states all have a Hispanic population of at least 500,000 = Washington, Virginia, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, New York, New Mexico, New Jersey, Nevada, Massachusetts, Illinois, Georgia, Florida, Colorado, California and Arizona.
There are approximately 1.1 million veterans of the United States armed forces who are Hispanic or Latino.
Famous writers and journalists with Hispanic heritage include Isabel Allende, Julia Alvarez, Rudolfo Anaya, Sandra Cisneros, Oscar Hijuelos, Maria Hinojosa, Geraldo Rivera, Louis Santeiro, and Gary Soto.
Famous actors and actresses with Hispanic heritage include Desi Arnaz, Lynda Carter, Sammy Davis Jr., Cameron Diaz, Emilio Estevez, America Ferrera, Andy Garcia, Salma Hayek, Rita Hayworth, Raul Julia, Jennifer Lopez, Anthony Quinn and Charlie Sheen.
Famous singers with Hispanic heritage include Linda Ronstadt, Jennifer Lopez, Sammy Davis Jr., Christina Aguilera, Gloria Estefan, Trini Lopez, Ricky Martin, Carlos Santana, Selena, and Rita Moreno.
Famous athletes with Hispanic heritage include Roberto Alomar, Jose Canseco, Oscar De La Hoya, Scott Gomez, Pedro Martinez, Sammy Sosa, Alex Rodriguez and Nancy Lopez.
Leaders and Activists with Hispanic heritage include Joan Baez, Cesar Chavez, David Barkley, Linda Chavez-Thompson, and Ernesto Galarza.
Famous scientists with Hispanic heritage include Severo Ochoa, Luis Walter Alvarez, and Mario Molina (Nobel Prize winners), and Ellen Ochoa, Franklin Chang-Diaz, and Carlos Noriega (astronauts).
Hispanic Heritage Month has been featured on Sesame Street.
Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States.


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