Hispanic Heritage Month 2009: Sept. 15 – Oct. 15
In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, which was observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month-long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15).
Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.
Did you know that...
97% of the population of Starr County, Texas, is Hispanic?
48% of the Hispanic-origin population lived in California or Texas in 2008?
Those who hablan español constitute 12 percent of U.S. residents. And more than half of these Spanish speakers speak English very well.
Of the fifteen most common surnames in the United States in 2000, four were Hispanic. Garcia was eighth, Rodriguez was ninth, Martinez was 11th and Hernandez was 15th.