Hispanic Heritage Month honors Latino independence

Hispanic Heritage Month is a month long celebration that begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

September 7 marks Brazil’s independence, while Mexico follows on September 16 and Chile on September 18.

The Boise State Cultural Center has events scheduled throughout the month to recognize Latino Heritage Month. Fiesta Independencia will kick off the celebration with performances, music and food on the Student Union patio at 11 a.m.

“The fiesta is an opportunity for all students on this campus to take advantage [of] and learn more about Latin America; its history, culture, arts and perspective,” said Ro Parker, Cultural Center Coordinator.

The events scheduled throughout the month include guest speakers, video presentations, a play and more that focus on integrating Latino culture with current events that occur on a daily basis.

“We chose these events to target the issues that are significant now,” said Parker.

Hispanic heritage month was once called Latino heritage month and was a weeklong celebration. 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.

During this month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of United States residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

National facts:

The term Hispanic, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Spanish-speaking people in the U.S. of any race.

42.7 million: the estimated Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2005, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or race minority.

Hispanics constituted 14 percent of the nation’s total population.

One of every two people added to the nation’s population between July 1, 2004, and July 1, 2005, were Hispanic.

3.3 percent

Percentage increase in the Hispanic population between July 1, 2004, and July 1, 2005, making Hispanics the fastest-growing minority group.

102.6 million

The projected Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2050. According to this projection, Hispanics will constitute 24 percent of the nation’s total population on

that date.

22.4 million

The nation’s Hispanic population during

the 1990 census – just slightly over half the current total.

Triple

The rate of growth of Hispanic-owned businesses between 1997 and 2002 (31 percent) compared to the national average (10 percent) for all businesses.

31 million

The number of U.S. household residents age 5 and older who speak Spanish at home.

Spanish speakers constitute a ratio of more than 1-in-10 U.S. household residents.

Among all those who speak Spanish at home, more than one-half say they speak English “very well.” (Source: American FactFinder)

Idaho facts:

Population of Idaho: 1,429,096 people

Hispanic population of Idaho: 129,880

Boise State facts:

Total (record) enrollment this year: 18,876

Total enrollment of Hispanic students: 1,154 – 9% increase from last year

JESSICA WIGLEY
News Writer

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