It starts on the 15th of September and the celebration lasts until the 15th of October – we get to enjoy and appreciate and celebrate the culture and heritage of our Hispanic friends and co-workers. We will begin with some thoughts from the National Today website [LINK].
“Every year from September 15 to October 15, Americans celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month by appreciating the community’s history, heritage, and contributions of the ancestors of American citizens who came from Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, and South- and Central America.
“Hispanic Heritage Month originally started with one week of commemoration when it was first introduced by Congressman George E. Brown in June 1968. With the civil rights movement, the need to recognize the contributions of the Latin community gained traction in the 1960s. Awareness of the multicultural groups living in the United States was also gradually growing.”
What is Hispanic Heritage?
The previous quote told us a little about Hispanic heritage, but not enough for us to grasp just how unique Hispanic heritage is. We wanted to know more, so we asked the question of Google, and took note of the first five offerings. Number 5 is certainly true:
#1 Hispanic heritage refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone from a Spanish-speaking country. Latino/a or Latinx heritage refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone from a country in Latin America. Hispanic and Latinx communities continue to grow and impact the built environment.
#2 Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
#3 Hispanic countries are Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
#4 Hispanic cultures are known for their vibrant festivals, and food is an integral part of these celebrations. From Dia de los Muertos in Mexico to La Tomatina in Spain, festivals often feature traditional dishes that showcase the unique flavors of each region.
#5 The Hispanic population has been integral to the prosperity of the U.S. Their contributions to the nation are immeasurable, and they embody the best of American values. The Hispanic-American community has left an indelible mark on the U.S. culture and economy.
Roots in Colonization
There was a time period when the country of Spain colonized a large portion of the North, Central and South American region of the Americas. The language and the culture of Spain traveled with the ships and Latin America became ‘Latin’. The Indigenous People of the region took on some of the Spanish culture and somehow, through the beauty of the human spirit, incorporated their already existing culture and beliefs into the Spanish culture to create something entirely new… Hispanic Heritage.
Hispanic Heritage Celebrations
The Smithsonian provides a wonderful website in which to explore Hispanic Heritage, called “The National Museum of the American Latino.” [LINK] We’ll offer two brief paragraphs and encourage readers to visit this excellent page in order to learn and enjoy!
“Hispanic Heritage Month provides an additional opportunity to explore the incredible impact Latinas and Latinos have had on the United States for generations. The Latino presence in America spans centuries, predating Spain’s colonization of what is now part of the United States, and they have been an integral part of shaping our nation since the Revolutionary War. Through the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Treaty of Paris that followed the Mexican-American and Spanish-American wars, the United States gained territories in the Southwest and Puerto Rico. This incorporated the people of this area into the United States and further expanded the presence of Hispanic Americans.
“Today, the Latino population in the United States is over 60 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This makes up 18.9% of the total population and is the largest racial or ethnic group. Latinos continue to help fuel our economy and enrich our nation as entrepreneurs, athletes, artists, entertainers, scientists, public servants, and much more.”
AMS Appreciates You!
Allow us to give a ton of appreciation to our employees who are celebrating their Hispanic heritage this month! We Appreciate You during this commemorative month and year-round! You are a big part of AMS’ Success and we are Grateful!
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AMS Fulfillment is a Certified B Corporation, dedicated to People and Planet before Profit. We work to B the Change we wish to see in the world.
