The Esperanza Center held its first annual Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on Saturday, October 8, 2022.

While most month-long observances start on the first day of the month, the mid-month start of Hispanic Heritage Month on September 15 is significant because it is the independence day of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates their national independence day on September 16, Chile on September 18, and Belize on September 21. The observance started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under US President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by US President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period.

What is Hispanic Heritage Month and why is it celebrated? Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures, and countless contributions that Hispanics have made to the nation over the years. Traditionally a U.S. celebration, we hope you take this time to learn more about your neighbors and friends and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month! We wish to thank our event partners, the West Palm Beach Police Department, Sysco Foods, and Florida Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce; their support made the event possible.