Hispanic Heritage Month began on Wednesday, September 15. Although it just started, a lot of people still ask why today? Why in the middle of September?

We celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month to recognize the achievements and contributions of Hispanic American champions who have inspired others to achieve success. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. President Ronald Reagan expanded it in 1988 to cover 30 days beginning 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 (hispanicheritagemonth.gov).

That still doesn’t answer the question of why in the middle of the month. The middle of the month is because of how many independence days are on the 15th. As it states in National Hispanic American Heritage Month 2021 (hispanicheritagemonth.gov), “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.”

You can see how much one culture has an impact on everyone here in Weston Ranch High School. Student Fausto Esquivel had a fantastic performance today at lunch in the MEChA Club’s Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff. We saw many students laughing and dancing to the music. Not just Hispanics celebrate this month. You could see other ethnicities and cultures dancing to the music as well.

Today is the day I’m writing this story, and it is Mexico’s Independence Day. As a Mexican American, it’s nice to see one’s culture being celebrated. With this celebration just kicking off, follow The Prowl for stories all month long.