National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) is upon us and there are numerous ways local governments can recognize the many contributions of Latinos/Hispanics in their communities. Latinos/Hispanics are the nation’s largest ethnic or race minority in the United States and make up approximately 17% of the population as of 2013. Many local governments have much larger and growing Latino/Hispanic populations.

Hispanic Heritage Week was initiated by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and expanded to a month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The dates were chosen because September 15 is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua); three other countries also celebrate their independence during the month (Mexico, Chile, and Belize); and Columbus Day or Día de La Raza is on October 12.

Local governments can celebrate the month in many ways, including:

• Inviting speakers to discuss the history of Latinos/Hispanics in your local community.
• Hosting cultural celebrations exhibiting the food and arts of Latin American countries.
• Highlighting historical or famous Latinos/Hispanics through such communication methods as websites and social media.
• Supporting/partnering with local nonprofits hosting cultural celebrations.
• Promoting a reading campaign in libraries highlighting Latino/Hispanic authors.
• Displaying in community facilities art of Latino/Hispanic artists or historical photographs of Latinos/Hispanics in your community.
• Issuing a proclamation from the local governing body acknowledging the importance of the month.

As our population in the United States grows more diverse, our communities should find ways to embrace and celebrate our diversity throughout the year.

For more information and resources on National Hispanic Heritage Month visit www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov or contact the International Hispanic Network.

And check out “The Art of Inclusion,” a video produced as an outcome of IHN’s Colorado Regional Summit, which features some unique voices on the topic of diversity.