Hispanic Heritage Month, not just another fiesta

Neither torrential rains nor citywide flood warnings could keep tens of thousands of spectators from descending upon Conyers, Ga. this past Oct. 20 for the second annual Fiesta Georgia – Atlanta’s largest outdoor event in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs Sept. 15 though Oct 15.  

Fiesta Georgia serves as the unofficial kick-off to Hispanic Heritage Month observances throughout the state, and it’s a day-long celebration of Latino culture, featuring live performances by local and national bands, vendor booths, arts, crafts, demonstrations and authentic foods. And unlike any other local fair, this one draws a very devoted, lively and passionate crowd that takes immense pride in its diverse heritage.

At first glance, Fiesta Georgia is a large-scale party where fried empanadas and cervezas flow a plenty, but a second look uncovers brightly colored flags from Spanish-speaking Caribbean and Latin American countries gallantly waving in the stormy wind and an underlying reverence to the historical events of the past that have shaped Hispanic-American History and the lives we live and enjoy today. But what’s it really all about?

The observation of Hispanic Heritage began back in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Jonson and was expanded by President Ronald Regan in ’88 to cover the present day 30-day celebration that goes from mid-September to mid-October and recognizes the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the U.S. and highlights Hispanic heritage and culture. It was officially enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988.

Why the willy-nilly mid-month time frame? Actually, for several very good reasons: September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because on that day in 1821 five Latin American countries declared their independence – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico, Chile and Belize followed suit with similar declarations on September 16, September 18 and September 21, respectively. Also of note, Columbus’ arrival in the Americas occurred on October 12, 1492, which today is celebrated as Columbus Day and as counter holiday Indigenous Peoples Day in the United States; as Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) in many countries in Latin America; Día de las Culturas (Day of the Cultures) in Costa Rica; Discovery Day in The Bahamas; Día de la Hispanidad (Spanish Day) and National Day in Spain; Día de las Américas (Day of the Americas) in Uruguay; and as Día de la Resistencia Indígena (Day of Indigenous Resistance) in Venezuela.

People and groups from all walks of life observe the above mentioned and other anniversaries and famous Latinos noted through the annals of history to ensure that the legacy of Hispanics everywhere lives on. To assist this effort, Verizon Foundation, through Thinkfinity.org (the online portal and cornerstone of its literacy, education and technology initiatives) placed at educators’ fingertips a rich collection of free, downloadable lesson plans, educational resources and activities that get to the root of what it means to be “Hispano.” Find out at http://www.thinkfinity.org/HispanicHeritageMonth.aspx and join the fiesta.

By Brenda Becker