Hispanic Heritage Month began nationally on Sept. 15 and continues to Oct. 15, 2022.
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
In New Mexico, we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day October 10, 2022, as a state holiday. Many of our elected statewide officials share a proud Hispanic heritage– Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and Lt. Gov. Howie Morales; Commissioner of Public Lands Stephanie Garcia Richards, State Auditor Brian Colon, and State Attorney General Hector Balderas among them. If elected, Laura Montoya will be the first Latina State Treasurer in the United States of America and the first woman state treasurer in New Mexico.
From The American Presidency Project: Proclamation 10257—National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2021: President Joe Biden said, “National Hispanic Heritage Month is an important reminder of how much strength we draw as a Nation from our immigrant roots and our values as a Nation of immigrants. I am proud to recognize my four Hispanic Cabinet Secretaries—Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and Small Business Administrator Isabel Guzman—who are all leading executive departments that oversee critical components of American life.”
In Albuquerque we started the month with the celebration September Fest in the Deep South Valley on Sunday, Sept. 18, an event designed to honor the Hispanic heritage of the South Valley, which will contribute to the election of Hispanic candidate Gabe Vasquez to U.S. Congress presenting the 2nd Congressional District.