"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.
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. It was enacted into
law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
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... This Web portal is a collaborative
project of the Library of Congress and the National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and U.S. National Archives and Records
Administration." http://hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/.
