Hispanic Heritage Week was established in 1968 by President Lyndon Johnson with the purpose of honoring the culture, history, and contributions of Hispanic and Latin Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean Islands, and Central and South America. In 1988, President Ronald Regan extended the recognition as National Hispanic Heritage Month (NHHM) from September 15th to October 15th, and during the same year, it became a law. The dates of NHHM are significant in that many Latin countries have their anniversary of independence during this time span. The National Council of Hispanic Employment Program Managers (NCHEPM) select a theme, then the general public is invited to design and submit a poster artwork to embody the theme. Esperanza: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and Hope was the 2021 theme; and according to the strategist from NCHEPM, this theme “…challenges us to envision a great future knowing that our hope and resilience can lead us there; hope and resilience help us to maintain and optimistic outlook in the face of adversity and give us the motivation to take action and make progress,” (2021 Hispanic Heritage Month). We recognized National Hispanic Heritage Month this year by cooking with Marissa Cardona, the wife of Dr. Miguel Cardona, the U.S. Secretary of Education to discuss Latin culinary traditions and how we can incorporate these vibrant flavors into our meals throughout the year.
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