Hispanic Heritage Month is observed in the United States from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 annually. It aims to honor the Latinx community that has been thriving on American soil for generations and contributing to the nation's progress.

In the U.S., the terms "Hispanic," "Latino" (for men), "Latina" (for women) and "Latinx" (gender-neutral) are used to loosely group immigrants and their descendants from Latin America, stretching from Northern Mexico's deserts to the ice fields of Argentina and the fjords of Chile. It is worth noting, however, that these terms refer to people's place of origin and ancestry, which means a Hispanic or Latinx individual can be of any race or color.

In last year's Census, people who identified themselves as having Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban or "another Hispanic, Latino or Spanish" origin were listed as Hispanic.

The month-long celebration of the Hispanic community was first proposed by California Congressman George E. Brown in 1968. The move was influenced by the civil rights movements spanning through the 1960s in favor of inclusion and wider acknowledgment of multicultural identities in the U.S.

In the same year, the dates Sept. 15 and Sept. 16 received a presidential proclamation to officially mark the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage week, providing an opportunity for the government bodies to observe it through appropriate ceremonies and activities.

The observance was expanded to a month in 1987 after the proposal of U.S. Representative Esteban E. Torres of California. The month-long celebration was signed into law the following year by President Ronald Raegan after a bill was proposed by Senator Paul Simon of Illinois.

To mark Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, here are some inspiring quotes from famous Latinx personalities. (Courtesy: Jopwell.com)

  • "We are needed. We have to be engaged and get ourselves elected to school boards and city councils. Sí se puede!" - Dolores Huerta
  • "Widen the path of opportunities and continue to leave a powerful and positive legacy in this world." - Luis Fonsi
  • "Your individuality is important, but so is belonging. Recognize the parts of your culture that have shaped your past, and the parts you want to carry with you into the future." - Sol Peralta
  • "If I could go back and give myself advice, I would say, 'You deserve to be here because you are a good actor. You know it. Now, let everybody else know.'" - Daniella De Jesús
  • "You are not lucky to be here. The world needs your perspective. They are lucky to have you." - Antonio Tijerino
  • "As people of color, we have a potent power – and a responsibility – to change events around us, not just professionally, but spiritually and politically as well." - Michelle Herrera Mulligan
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Hispanic community Pixabay
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