Hispanic Heritage Month

Background

Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the contributions Americans tracing their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean have made to American society and culture. The observance began in 1968 when Congress authorized the president to issue an annual proclamation designating National Hispanic Heritage Week. Just two decades later, lawmakers expanded it to a month-long celebration, stretching from September 15 to October 15.

It always starts on September 15, a historically significant day that marks the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The designated period is also a nod to those from Mexico and Chile, both of whom celebrate their independence on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

Hispanic refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a Spanish-speaking country.

Latino/a or Latinx refers to a person who is from, or a descendant of someone who is from, a country in Latin America.

Proclamation

At the September 5, 2023 City Council meeting, Mayor Mary Lou Pauly proclaimed September 15 through October 15, 2023 Hispanic Heritage Month in the City of Issaquah.

Events

Join us in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration, Oct. 1, 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

  • Hosted by the Issaquah Circle at the Issaquah Senior Center
  • Follow along with local artist Maria G. Casey to create a heart collage to represent your heritage
  • Live music
  • Light snacks available

Sea Mar Fiestas Patrias, Sept. 16-17

  • At Seattle Center
  • An event with live music, a health fair, food and children’s activities.

Ideas to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month

  • Participate in weekly Hispanic art classes at Centro Cultural Mexicano, a non-profit that has a mission to empower and connect communities through art and culture.
  • King County Library will be hosting various Story Times in Spanish.
  • Hold a Hispanic film festival with your family, find our recommendation list below.
  • Learn about Latin America’s history.
  • Listen to Latin American music including:
    • Merengue, bachata, tango, Latin pop, Latin urban, salsa, regional Mexican music, reggae, cumbia, vallenato, samba, bossa nova, among many others.
  • Read a Hispanic author
  • Talk to people that you know have Hispanic heritage, get to know them.

Movie Recommendations

  • Underwater Dreams, unrated documentary (2014)  
    • Narrated by Michael Pena, chronicles the story of how the sons of undocumented Mexican immigrants learned how to build underwater robots. And got up against MIT in the process.
  • East side Sushi, PG l Drama (2014)
    • An immigrant single mother disenfranchised by her regular life decides to take a chance working at a Japanese restaurant and realizes her dreams to become a sushi chef to provide a better future to her family.
  • Selena, PG l Biography (1997)
    • The true story of Selena, a Texas-born Tejano singer who rose from cult status to performing at the Astrodome, as well as having chart topping albums on the Latin music charts.
  • Dolores, unrated documentary (2017) 
    • The documentary begins discussing Dolores' life prior to her becoming the activist she is known for being today. Dolores during the 1940s and 50's was living out the typical life of a Chicano for that period. Even at an early age she was disturbed by the world around her and felt unsatisfied with the life that she was living.
  • Spirit Untamed, PG l animated (2021)
    • Lucky Prescott’s life is changed forever when she moves from her home in the city to a small frontier town and befriends a wild mustang named Spirit.