On September 15th , 2023 Manual Arts High School celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month during lunchtime in the senior quad. Leadership students invited a Mariachi band to play Hispanic music .There was salsa dancing and a Piñata that students took turns hitting. Many of the student dressed up in Spanish traditional attire and students served Spanish food such as, Mangos, Pupusas , Enchiladas , and other Spanish food. According to research, “Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration from Sep 15-Oct 15 which is to honor Hispanic history, culture and influence of past generations who came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. It is also 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 September 18, respectively, but before there was National Hispanic Heritage Month, there was Hispanic Heritage Week, created through legislation sponsored by Mexican-American Rep. Edward R. Roybal of Los Angeles and signed into law in 1968 by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
” The annual celebration was to be held the week that included Sept. 15-16. According to National Archives on Hispanic Heritage Months “ it was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988. The theme for 2023 is “Todos Somos, Somos Uno: We Are All, We Are One.” Hispanic Heritage Month is a month that holds a ineffaceable place in our hearts that provides more time to properly recognize the significant contributions Hispanic/Latino Americans have made in the United States , research says.