Jackson College will host a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at noon Thursday, Sept. 14 on the Potter Center Patio.
Visitors can sample great cuisine and listen to music from Los Vaqueros, The Cowboys. This free event is open to students and the community.
In 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim a week in September as National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month-long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15), honoring Hispanic heritage. The date Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month 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.
During this time, 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. According to this Census, 57 million people or 18 percent of the U.S. population are of Hispanic or Latino origin. It is the nation’s second-fastest-growing racial or ethnic group after Asians.
For more information, contact Jackson College’s Office of Multicultural Affairs at 517.796.8470.
Photos of 2016 event courtesy Jackson College.
