Celebrating Cultures Throughout the Hispanic Community

Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate different Hispanic cultures, prominently in the United States, starting September 15 to October 15. The people who moved to the United States came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. By sharing food, history, and more, Latinos get to share their knowledge and spread it to people. This is actively celebrated during this time because many Hispanic communities have had many victories throughout these days in history.

This celebration started in 1968 under President Lyndon Johnson’s time; it was put into law as a national holiday on August 17, 1988. Many companies have different ways to celebrate, having cultural food included in their menu or giving recognition to the people working who are from these places. For the years throughout, there is a changing theme; this year was “Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together.” The meaning of this phrase is to highlight the achievements of Hispanic leaders in the past while also marking the importance of needing to build a better future: shaping the future together. 

Throughout this time, AIS decided to let these cultures celebrate by having different activities available. People of different Latino descent were put on the walls throughout the hallways to share where they were from and to show the students they have adults to look up to. They also had a fun festival for the children, with food from various Hispanic cultures as a way of celebrating. They had face-painting activities, an inflatable obstacle course, decorations that included Dia De Los Muertos calaveras, and much more. This was to bring more people together for a fun and learning moment. As AIS continues celebrating more cultures and opening up to diversity, it makes people know they are not excluded and there are more people like them: they are not alone.