Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens of Hispanic descent Is a month-long celebration: September 15- October 15 Established as National Hispanic Week in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson Expanded to a month-long celebration in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan

Latino: a person of Latin American origin or descent, including Brazil but not Spain Hispanic: a Spanish-speaking person of Latin American descent, not including Brazil 20 Spanish-speaking countries, as well as Puerto Rico Spanish is the second most spoken native language in the world

Independence day Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama- September 15 Mexico- September 16 Chile- September 18 Columbus Day- second Monday in October (October 12)

Facts Hispanics account for about 17% of the entire U.S. population There are about 57 million Hispanics in the United States California, Texas, Florida, New York and Illinois are the states with the largest Hispanic/Latino population

South Carolina Greenville County has the largest Hispanic population in the Upstate of SC There about 45,000 Hispanics in Greenville County Spartanburg County has the second-largest Hispanic population in the Upstate of SC The Hispanic-American Women’s Association works to increase educational opportunities for Hispanic students in the Upstate Each year, AHAM organizes the International Festival to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month The South Carolina Hispanic Chamber of Commerce promotes the economic growth of Hispanic businesses in the sate