The National Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated annually in the United States from Sept.15-Oct. 15 since 1968 when it was known as National Hispanic Heritage Week. The legislation was sponsored by Representative, George Brown Jr. (D-CA) and signed into law by President, Lyndon B. Johnson. The celebration was for a week beginning on Sept. 15.
In 1988, the celebration was expanded to a month to commence on Sept. 15 and end Oct. 15 by legislation sponsored by Rep. Esteban Torres (D–CA), amended by Senator, Paul Simon (D-IL), and signed into law by President, Ronald Reagan.
The historical significance of Sept. 15 is that it was the starting date of the “Cry of Dolores” when on this date in 1810, the Roman Catholic priest, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, rang his church’s bell and called for the independence of Mexico against Spain.
Mexico, then known as New Spain, became the first country to gain its independence on Sept. 28, 1821, and other Latin American countries followed suit throughout the 19th century. Mexico as with other aforementioned countries earned its independence thru warfare and bloodshed against the Spanish colonizers.
This was two years after Napoleon Bonaparte of France invaded Spain, overthrew the Bourbon monarchy there and installed his brother, Joseph as king. The Spanish citizens refused to accept this and rose into rebellion. Consequently, Spanish colonies in the western hemisphere began to rebel against Spanish rule beginning with the territory later known as Mexico on Sept. 15, 1810.
At Eastern Illinois University (EIU), the National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated as the Latino Heritage Month. This year’s theme, Buscando El Paraiso: El Sol Sale Para Todos, is Spanish for “Seeking Paradise: The Sun Rises for All.”
At EIU, there are 15 events on campus that celebrate Latino Heritage Month as a way to commemorate the contributions of each Latino group here in America. The first event is on Sept. 9 and the last event is on Nov. 16. At the Booth Library at EIU, there is an art exhibit that honors Latino Heritage Month.
Luis Paniagua is the graduate student at EIU for the Office of Belonging, Access, and Engagement Department, located in Blair Hall, Room 1170. Paniagua explained that for Latino Heritage Month, “for me, it means representative of the people and of the cultural overall especially in an institution that is a PWI (predominately white institution). It is important for students to have a sense of community and representation here.”
Paniagua previously graduated from EIU in 2023 with a bachelor’s in graphic design. He also earned minors in Marketing and Digital Media. He is currently working on his master’s in College of Student Affairs. He is a member of Alpha Psi Lambda, a predominately Latino co-ed fraternity, in which both men and women can join. The EIU chapter of the fraternity is Alpha Eta.
If you are interested in attending any or all events regarding the Latino Heritage Month at EIU, you can go to https://www.eiu.edu/oiae/LatinoHeritageMonth.php. Hope you will have an opportunity to check out many events and have a fantastic time doing so.
