Hispanic+Heritage+Month

=About Hispanic Month:=

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a monthlong celebration (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. (Courtesy of U.S. Census Bureau)

Many Hispanic Americans trace their roots to the cultures of the indigenous peoples of the Americas -- including the Arawaks (Puerto Rico), the Aztecs (Mexico), the Incas (South America), the Maya (Central America), and the Tainos (in Cuba, Puerto Rico and other places). Some trace their roots to the Spanish explorers -- who in the 1400s set out to find an easier and less costly way to trade with the Indies. Other Latinos trace their roots to the Africans who were brought as slaves to the New World. For purposes of the U.S. Census, Hispanic Americans today are identified according to the parts of the world that they or their ancestors came from, including Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, Spain, or the nations of Central or South America. --- At 44 million, Hispanics constituted 14 percent of the U.S. population. --- In the U.S. 1990 census, the Hispanic population was 22.4 million. --- Hispanics are the fastest-growing minority group. --- The Census bureau projects that the U.S. Hispanic population will reach 102.6 million by 2050. --- 64% of the U.S. Hispanic population are of Mexican background. Another approximately 10 percent are of Puerto Rican background. --- The median age of the Hispanic population is 27.2 years; that compares with 36.2 years for the population as a whole. --- 49% of the U.S. Hispanic-origin population lives in California or Texas. California is home to 12.4 million Hispanics, and Texas is home to 7.8 million. --- 13 states (AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, TX, and WA) have at least half a million Hispanic residents.
 * Stats from U.S. Census**

==Click on links below to see famous Hispanic-Americans!!!== =

===1) [|Bilingual Celebrities] (Did you know these celebrities were bilingual???)=== ===2) [|Hispanic Icons] (Do you recognize any of these celebrities?) === ===3) [|Photo Gallery] (More pictures of Hispanic American Celebrities)=== ===4) [|Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month] (Check out "My Heritage" & Famous Latinos).===

**Some Pictures and information about Hispanic Heritage Month...**
[|Power Point of Hispanic Heritage]