Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

Each year, we celebrate National Hispanic American 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. At Group 1001, we appreciate our diversity and strive to learn from our colleagues.

The observation began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover 30 days. Since then, the month has been celebrated nationwide through festivals, art shows, community gatherings, and more.

September 15 is set as the starting date for the month as it is important for many reasons. It is the independence anniversary of Latin American countries El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Honduras. Respectively, the independence days of Mexico and Chile fall on September 16 and September 18.

“This celebration reminds me of the struggle of our ancestors trying to find freedom and a better environment to raise their family,” said Zulma Bohorquez, Senior Accounts Payable Associate. “For my family, this is the opportunity to show my son and other kids our traditions and explain our behaviors. We can explain why watching a soccer game brings so much passion or why when we cook, the most important ingredient is the love to share. I celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with family, preparing traditional meals from scratch, passing down musical traditions, and sharing stories of our traditional holidays.”

Ways to Observe Hispanic Heritage Month

- Learn Spanish – who knows where that might take you. (Try the Duolingo app.)

- Educate kids about Hispanic arts. (Frida Kahlo’s paintings are a good start.)

- Promote Hispanic Heritage Month on social media and help teach future generations about their culture and contributions.

- Plan a fiesta with tasty food and share stories about Hispanic culture with your friends and family.

“I’m very proud to be Hispanic and grateful for the opportunities that my immigrant parents gave me by coming to the United States,” said Maria Alvarez, Senior Compliance Consultant. “Hispanic Heritage Month is about the importance of family, unity, and traditions. It’s another reason to celebrate my Mexican culture, customs, beliefs, music, and food. I love my Mexican roots and embrace them all year round, but I do take advantage of the importance of this month by getting together with my loved ones more often, even if it’s just to eat some good Mexican food or for a game of Loteria (Mexican Bingo).”

Hispanic influences are tightly woven into the fabric of American life – music, food, art, cinema, literature and so much more.