For the past 30 days Adafruit has joined in the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic 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.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting 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.
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. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
Senior Obama Administration Officials to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
The U.S. Department of Education in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy will celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Education Department’s LBJ Auditorium. This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month also marks the25th anniversary of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics (Initiative), which was founded in 1990 to address the educational disparities faced by the Hispanic community.
Adafruit is one of the only tech sites following this event — check out our posts here.
Ellen Ochoa — first Hispanic woman in space, current head of NASA’s Johnson Space Center
Adriana Ocampo — planetary geologist and the Science Program Manager at NASA Headquarters
Dr. Sarah Stewart — pioneered the field of viral oncology research
Dr. Helen Rodríguez Trías — pediatrician, educator, and womens rights activist
Jaime Alfonso Escalante Gutierrez — legendary calculus teacher, inspiration for Stand and Deliver
María Amparo Ruiz de Burton — first female Mexican-American author to write in English
Dr. Aida Luz Giachello– founder of the Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center
Juan Felipe Herrera — first Mexican American U.S. Poet Laureate
Sofia Manzano — played Maria on Sesame Street from 1971 to 2015
Aida de Acosta Root Breckinridge — first woman to fly a powered aircraft solo
More info about National Hispanic Heritage Month
Making a Difference for National Hispanic Heritage Month — aids.gov