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Hispanic Heritage Month started first as Hispanic Heritage Week, and then it expanded to a month with the purpose of celebrating the culture and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.
According to a publication from mealsonwheelsmd.org, the idea of expanding the Hispanic heritage celebration from a week to a month “was introduced by US Representative Esteban E. Torres (CA) [in 1987], who proposed expanding the celebration to one month. The next year, in 1988, Senator Paul Simon (IL) put forth a similar bill. It was this bill that was signed on August 17th, 1988, creating National Hispanic Heritage Month.”
This recognition of the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration is important because Hispanics have helped to carry the legacy of this country with their hard work, family devotion, faith, and passion, making the U.S. strong and prosperous.
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates a vivid culture with beautiful and diverse traditions that were carried to the U.S., helping its people stay connected to their roots, teaching their children the language and how to embrace their heritage, and helping others create a sense of empathy toward people in the Hispanic community. Hispanics have been successful in maintaining their customs while assimilating into American culture.
A lot of Hispanic countries, such as Guatemala, Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, and Chile, have their Independence Day celebrations in the middle of September.
Usually, Hispanic embassies organize parades and other cultural events during the month of September.
Those parades are held in New York City. During those events, typical food is served, music is played, and dances are performed from each country. There are themed floats that are used as decorations to portray something relevant for each country on different days within the same month.
Exploring and celebrating Hispanic culture is another way to expand your knowledge and show respect and appreciation for diversity. If you are Hispanic, that is an opportunity for you to reconnect with your roots and create beautiful memories while having a good time.
But why do Hispanics celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month?
Hispanic Heritage Month should be celebrated because Hispanics “are also a vital part of the American population,” according to a report from minorityhealth.hhs.gov. “The Hispanic population in the United States accounts for 19% or 1 in 5 Americans, according to the 2020 census,” which means that this community is the nation’s second largest racial or ethnic group after non-Hispanic whites.
According to a commentary from the Executive Director of the Hispanic Chamber Janessa Calderon published at ourquadcities.com, we should celebrate the Hispanic Heritage Month because it “provides [Hispanic people] with a unique opportunity to honor [their] rich cultural heritage, recognize [their] accomplishments, and reaffirm [their] commitment to fostering growth and unity.”
Both Hispanics and non-Hispanics can enjoy, celebrate, and be inspired by the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month to learn and experience new music, new food, new dances, and create new memories.
Ways to celebrate the Hispanic Heritage Month
1. Try some Hispanic dishes
You can go to different restaurants that serve Hispanic food and try some of their dishes.
You only need to pick one Hispanic country, search for a restaurant from that region, and immerse yourself in the flavors of that new culture.
2. Take an in person or a virtual tour to a museum
You can experience Hispanic culture through the arts.
You can visit a museum and look at the art created by the most important painters, sculptures, and other kinds of artists that come from any Hispanic country.
One example can be “La Casa Azul, which is Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s former home. The name literally translates to the Blue House. Now, it’s a museum dedicated to her work and life,” noted the Boys & Girls Clubs of America in Parent Resources in their article published at bgca.org.
This is a way to understand how the Hispanic culture is and what they offer to the world while celebrating that culture.
3. Take part in cultural activities and celebrations
You can have a deeper understanding of a Hispanic nation’s culture and the reasons behind why some things are done the way they are by participating in one or more of its cultural events or celebrations.
You can go to some parades in New York City, you can join some friends in their celebrations, or you can search online for some cultural events that are going on in your area to commemorate Hispanic heritage and attend them.
You can also watch those celebrations and cultural events on television from the comfort of your home.
4. You can try some of the traditional dances from different Hispanic countries.
If you consider every floor, a dance floor or you are simply curious to see how those dances are, it is time to search for ways to learn Hispanic dances such as salsa, punta, bachata, merengue, samba, tango, cumbia, and others.
You can look at some YouTube videos, you can join a dance academy, or you can ask your Hispanic friend to teach you some dancing moves.
