National Hispanic Heritage Month

  • Published
  • By Staff Reports
  • 90th Missile Wing Public Affairs
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  National Hispanic Heritage month is observed yearly from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. American citizens celebrate the history, culture and contributions of their ancestors who came from various Hispanic regions including Spain, Mexico and South America.

The observation of Hispanic Heritage month began under President Lyndon Johnson's term in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage week. In 1988, President Ronald Regan expanded the observation to cover a 30-day period. Aug. 17, 1988, the observation was enacted into law.

The dates of the observation offer a variety of significances. Sept. 15 is the anniversary of the independence for the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates their independence on Sept. 16, and Chile celebrates theirs on Sept. 18. Another important date in Hispanic heritage is Columbus Day, Oct. 12, which celebrates the official discovery of the Americas by Christopher Columbus.

This year's Department of Defense theme is "Hispanics: Serving and Leading Our Nation with Pride and Honor." The people in charge for the wing's Hispanic Heritage observance are Master Sgt. Ricardo Borecki, 90th Force Support Squadron, and Staff Sgt. Arturo Flores, 90th Logistics Readiness Squadron. The base and local area are invited to attend the wing's Hispanic event Oct. 16 in the Fall Hall Community Center from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The guest speaker will be Tech. Sgt. Michael Guzman, 90 Missile Security Forces Squadron. There will be a free traditional Hispanic food sampling.

*Editor's note: www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov contributed to this article