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Hispanic Heritage Month By Jane Runyon

What does it mean to be ? Does it have to do with the color of a person's skin? Does it have to do with the place where they live? Just who are Hispanic people?

The answers to these questions are varied. The word Hispanic has to do with the culture of a people. Hispanic culture takes in more than 20 countries and nationalities. It started with the Spanish who came from Europe in the 1500's. It now includes people of Aztec, Mayan, and Mexican ancestry.

Every ten years the counts its citizens. This count is called a census. Not only does this census count the people, it also places them into different groups according to their ethnic background. There are white/Caucasians, African-, and to name a few. Hispanics are divided into groups by ancestry. There are Indo-Hispanics, Afro-Hispanics, Cuban-Americans, and Mexican-Americans.

Those ethnic groups can also be broken down into other groups. Hispanic is a term used by Cubans, , and people from other Caribbean islands. They are descended from the Spanish. Latinos trace their families to Central America and South America. are people of Mexican ancestry. Today, many of them call themselves Mexican-Americans. Hispanos are descended from the conquistadors who traveled to the southwest part of the United States. It doesn't matter the color of the skin. It doesn't matter where they live. If part of their heritage came from the Spanish, they are Hispanic.

Because Hispanics include so many nations and customs, it is hard to celebrate each and every day that is important. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua all celebrate their independence on September 15. This is the day they gained the right to be a free country. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16. Chile's day of celebration is September 18. All Hispanic countries celebrate Columbus Day on October 12. Mexico has added their celebration of Dia de , the Day of the Race, on the 12th.

Having so many days of celebration was difficult for many Hispanics. It was particularly difficult for Hispanics who now made their homes in the United States. The United States government recognized the problem. In 1968, the U.S. Congress declared that Hispanic heritage should be recognized. Hispanic contributions to the history of the Americas should not be forgotten. Hispanic people who contributed to what the Americas are today should be saluted. Hispanic customs and traditions should not be forgotten.

In 1988, it was decided that just one day was not enough time to celebrate Hispanic heritage. An entire month was set aside for the celebration. This month would include all of the Independence Day celebrations, Columbus Day, and Dia de la Raza. Hispanic Heritage Month now starts on September 15 and ends on October 15.

Over 30 million Hispanic people now call the United States home. These 30 million people proudly celebrate their ancestry and their culture during Hispanic Heritage Month. They are proud of what they are. They are proud of who they are. This is their opportunity to show it. Name Date

Hispanic Heritage Month Questions

1. Hispanic people are all from the Caribbean area. A. False B. True 2. What is a census? A. The number of voters in a country B. A count of how many people live in a country C. The congress in a Caribbean country D. The climate in a country 3. Who are the ancestors of Hispanic people? A. Columbians B. Americans C. Indians D. 4. Why was it difficult to choose just one day to celebrate Hispanic heritage?

5. What is celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month?

6. When is Columbus Day celebrated? A. October 15 B. September 30 C. September 15 D. October 12 7. Who first declared a Hispanic Heritage Month? A. United States B. Spain C. Mexico D. Cuba 8. What country is claimed by Chicanos as the home of their ancestors? A. Mexico B. Spain C. Cuba D. United States