Every year on September 15, Hispanic Heritage Month begins. This is a four week long observance until October 15 when we recognize and celebrate the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans (whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America).
This is a time for celebrating their histories and cultures and a time when we honor and remember those who have come before us. We recall their crossing over into this land in search of freedom (from violence, military dictatorships, or religion), better job and educational opportunities, and better living conditions for their families.
Personally, I feel a strong connection to Hispanic Heritage Month because of my own roots. My father and his family immigrated here in the early 1970's from the Dominican Republic. They came also in search of freedom, better living conditions and opportunities. And today... the Baez are a growing, vibrant and successful Hispanic family; business owners, entrepreneurs, tailors, models, writers, pilots, fashion designers, officers and more. - Marcy B.
HISTORICAL FACT
Hispanic Heritage Month began as Hispanic Heritage Week. Hispanic Heritage Week was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968. In 1988, the week was expanded to a month and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the commemoration because it is the anniversary of the Cry of Dolores (September 16,1810), which marked the start of the Mexican War of Independence and resulted (in 1821) in independence for the New Spain Colony (now Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Nicaragua).
HISPANIC HERITAGE QUOTES
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, here are quotes I handpicked to share with you; use on your social media, for inspirational wall art/journaling, arts & crafts, scrapbooking and anything else you can set your mind on.
Today... more than we have perhaps in our lifetime, we need these words of wisdom, words of inspiration, and words of empowerment in our community. We must remind ourselves of what lives within us.
For those of you who are of Hispanic background (or any minority background), I urge you to recognize your place within the beautiful fabric of our country. Be bold, be confident in your aspirations and your goals. Look to the future. Write down your vision. Follow your dream. Prepare the way for the next generation. Live your best YOU now for today is all you have.
Be proud of your heritage. I know I am!
Happy Hispanic Heritage Month!
“The Latino population has become such a presence. We are part of the American tapestry in a very profound way, in every area you can think of and are very significant in popular culture.” ~ Jimmy Smith
“We are a multicultural country – always have been, and to our credit, always will be. It is something that we should be very proud of and embrace.” ~Cheech Mari
“The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can be is an instrument of peace.” ~ Carlos Santana
“One of the greatest things you have in life is that no one has the authority to tell you what you want to be. You’re the one who’ll decide what you want to be. Respect yourself and respect the integrity of others as well. The greatest thing you have is your self-image, a positive opinion of yourself. You must never let anyone take it from you.” – Jaime Escalante
"It is a necessity for us to raise our children with our roots so that they can communicate with their grandparents, but also so that they can create some kind of empathy for human beings that do not look like them, and do not sound like them and do not smell like them.” ~Zoe Saldaña
“You only have what you give. It’s by spending yourself that you become rich.” –Isabel Allende
“Success is a matter of one’s own feelings about oneself.”-Edward James Olmos
“Everything good that’s ever happened to me came out of helping others”. ~Danny Trejo
“The point is not to pay back kindness, but to pass it on.” ~ Julia Alvarez
“In the end, the American dream is not a sprint, or even a marathon, but a relay. Our families don’t always cross the finish line in the span of one generation. But each generation passes on to the next the fruits of their labor.” ~Julian Castro
"One of the hardest parts of life is deciding whether to walk away or try harder."
- Hispanic saying
"The Latina in me is an ember that blazes forever."
- Sonia Sotomayor
"Virtue is the truest nobility."
- Miguel de Cervantes
"But we must feel the pain before the pleasure... Only then can we tell them apart."
- Gloria Estefan
"The number one issue in the Hispanic American community is "How do I leave my children better off than myself?""
- Marco Rubio
"Don't be told something is impossible. There's always a way."
- Robert Rodriguez
"We are human beings. And no matter how bad things are and no matter how limiting things are. We can always be creative."
- Luis J. Rodriguez
"My mother gave me one piece of advice that stuck with me. She said don't forget where you came from." - Eva Longoria
"I am trying to teach my children to feel a responsibility for their fellow human beings and a sense of connection with...the world around them."
- Gloria Estefan
"We must be impatient for change. Let us remember that our voice is a precious gift and we must use it."
- Claudia Flores
"Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today." ~ Vidal Lopez (my Puerto Rican grandfather)
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