WHEREAS, Hispanic Heritage Month began as a commemorative week introduced in June of 1968 by California Congressman George E. Brown, who represented East Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley, areas with significant Hispanic and Latino populations; and
WHEREAS, The initiative to recognize the contributions of the Hispanic community gained momentum during the 1960s, a period marked by the civil rights movement and increasing awareness of the United States' multicultural identity; and
WHEREAS, On September 17, 1968, Congress passed Public Law 90-48, officially authorizing and requesting the President to issue annual proclamations declaring September 15 and 16 as the start of National Hispanic Heritage Week, and encouraging the people of the United States, particularly the educational community, to observe the week with appropriate ceremonies and activities; and
WHEREAS, President Lyndon B. Johnson issued the first presidential proclamation for Hispanic Heritage Week on the same day; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic Heritage Month is now an annual celebration that honors the history and culture of the Latino and Hispanic populations in the United States, having expanded from its original week-long observance in 1968 to a month-long commemoration; and
WHEREAS, Hispanic Heritage Month extends from the middle of September through the middle of October, a period chosen to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of several Central American nations; specifically, September 15 marks the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, all of which declared their independence from Spain on this date in 1821; and
WHEREAS, By aligning with these independence dates, Hispanic Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the contributions and rich heritage of the Latino and Hispanic communities; and
WHEREAS, This month, the City of Philadelphia joins in celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose ancestors come from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America; and
WHEREAS, While the contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities must be celebrated throughout the year, the period from September 15 to October 15 provides an opportunity for special recognition of the significant contributions of Hispanics and Latinos to the history and culture of the United States, including their notable advocacy work, vibrant art, diverse culinary traditions, significant influence in sports, and many other contributions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes September 15th through October 15th as Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Philadelphia.
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