Are you proud of your Hispanic heritage? Did you know that September is Hispanic Heritage Month? National Hispanic Heritage Month honors the contributions of Hispanic Americans to history, culture, and achievements. Learn more about the history of this amazing culture. You’ll be amazed at how many great things that Hispanic people have done. And don’t forget to share your story! There are many ways that you can celebrate your heritage this September!
In the United States, four out of five Latinos are citizens. While some are naturalized citizens and born in the country, others are not. Of the five major groups, people of Mexican origin make up the largest percentage, with 62% of the nation’s Hispanic population. The next-largest group are people of Puerto Rican descent, with 5.8 million citizens. Although Puerto Ricans are a diverse group, their numbers have risen in recent years. Most have been displaced from their island and have been moved to the other 50 states. Guatemalans and Hondurans make up the next-largest groups.
In addition to celebrating Latinx culture, this month also honors the contributions of people from Spanish-speaking nations. September 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month, and special events, exhibits, and Web sites honor the contributions of the Spanish-speaking community to American society. In 1968, the month began as a commemorative week. The push to recognize the contributions of the Latinx community gained momentum during the civil rights movement and the growing multicultural awareness.
You can also celebrate the culture of your heritage by going to a Latin-themed festival in your town. In the Bronx, check out the El Barrio Latin Jazz festival and the Northwest Arkansas Hispanic Heritage Festival. While visiting one of these events, remember to learn a dance or two from a Hispanic musician. Aside from learning to dance the bachata or merengue, you can also try your hand at cooking traditional Hispanic dishes.
While Latinos and Hispanics share the same heritage and language, their origins may differ. For example, Mexican Americans are considered Hispanic while Puerto Ricans are Latino. The Spanish term for Latino is used for people from any region of Latin America. However, a person who is Hispanic or Latino may be an Indigenous, African, or even Asian. Some debate continues about the distinction between Latinos and Caribbean people.
Despite these differences, many people have Hispanic heritage. According to the Census Bureau, the number of Hispanic people in the U.S. will increase by nearly ten million by 2020. While it is still early to tell if this demographic trend will continue, Hispanics are a vital part of American culture. The Hispanic population represents more than 15 percent of the nation’s population. It is the fastest-growing minority group.
You can learn about your Hispanic heritage by watching a one-man show. This Broadway play written by Colombian actor John Leguizamo is available on Netflix. Latin History For Morons takes viewers through three thousand years of Latin history. The show includes plenty of Latinx and Hispanic references. It is also available on Amazon. If you’re a history buff, you can even learn more about your Hispanic heritage by reading some books and watching a movie about it.