Throughout September and October, Americans and others around the world celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month. This annual celebration of Latino culture and history focuses on the contributions of the Hispanic and Latinx communities to the United States and its history.
The Hispanic population of the United States increased from 5.3 million in 2010 to 62.5 million in 2021. The Hispanic population has been growing at a faster rate than the overall population of the United States. It is the largest minority group in the U.S. with one in five people having a Hispanic background. In addition, Latinos have been instrumental in many aspects of the U.S. culture, politics, and history.
In 1968, President Lyndon Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Week. Originally, it was only a one-week celebration, but in 1988, under President Ronald Reagan, the celebration was extended to four weeks. The President’s Office has been responsible for promoting the event, and it has been celebrated nationwide.
The Hispanic Heritage Month celebration includes special events and exhibits. For example, the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. will host a number of public reading rooms and programs to commemorate the occasion. Several art exhibitions will also be held. The Library will also release a collection of audio recordings by Luso-Hispanic writers.
The Latin American Cultural Center (LACC) will open on September 75. This center will provide a new resource for greater public understanding of the Hispanic and Latinx cultures. The center will be a place for cultural discussion, education, and collaboration. The LACC will serve as a space for community leaders and educators to explore arts, culture, and history in the U.S. It will provide programming for youth, families, and the wider community. The Center will open in time for National Hispanic Heritage Month.
The Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Committee at Pitt will include representatives from throughout the University and local organizations. They will be working to create a collaborative calendar of events. They are also inviting students, faculty, and staff to submit their own personal writing and artifacts. These submissions will be displayed on the University’s social media channels. They are also encouraging friends and family to submit materials as well.
In conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month, the Latin American and Caribbean Studies program at Pitt will present a community talk. The event will include discussions of the Hispanic and Latinx cultures and how they relate to contemporary issues. The speakers will discuss topics such as Latino and Latinx history, education, and public health.
Other activities associated with the Hispanic Heritage Month celebration include international breakfasts and a Hispanic Heritage Artifact Showcase. These are free and open to the public. Participants can share their own personal stories, songs, and artifacts. In addition, Pitt will host an annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on the campus. This event will include Latinx and Hispanic Heritage artifacts and the opportunity to learn about Hispanic and Latinx culture and history.