Wednesday, Sept. 15 marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month—a time to pay tribute to Hispanic Americans and their many contributions to our communities, country and union family.
Beginning in 1968, Hispanic Heritage Month was originally observed as “Hispanic Heritage Week” under President Lyndon Johnson, but it was later extended to a month and signed into law during President Ronald Reagan’s term in 1988.
Since then, the month has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, conferences, community gatherings, and much more. The month also celebrates the independence days of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua on September 15th, Mexico on September 16th, and Chile on September 18th. It also include holidays that recognize Hispanic contributions, such as Virgin Islands-Puerto Rico Friendship Day that is celebrated in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Observing Hispanic Heritage Month allows us to recognize and support the work Hispanic Americans are doing in helping this country and our union grow. This year’s theme, “Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope,” invites us to celebrate Hispanic heritage and reflect on how great our tomorrow can be if we hold onto our resilience and hope.
Throughout Hispanic Heritage Month, the UFCW will pay tribute to the culture and history of Hispanic Americans and their positive impact on the labor movement. If you have members who would like to share their stories about what this month means to them, please reach out to Julie Anderson at janderson@ufcw.org.