Highlighting our Staff
The YMCA of the Triangle is proud to recognize the many employees who celebrate their Hispanic heritage this month. Our team hails from Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Brazil, Colombia, and beyond. We’re proud of our diversity and are passionate about being a positive force for good in our community.
Join us for activities celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at the Y and in our community.
History of Hispanic Heritage Month
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 and runs through October 15, giving us an opportunity to recognize and celebrate members of our communities and their ancestors who hail from Mexico, parts of the Caribbean, Central and South America and Spain.
Rather than starting at the beginning of September, Hispanic Heritage Month takes place over 30 days starting on the 15th — a nod to the anniversaries of national independence for a number of Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Most of the Hispanic and Latino communities recognize September 15 as the date of their independence; however, Mexico’s independence is celebrated September 16 and Chile celebrates its independence September 18.
Hispanic Heritage Month traces its history to 1968 when it was just a week-long observance. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a bill designating the week of September 15 as “National Hispanic Heritage Week.” * It wasn’t until nearly 20 years later that Hispanic Heritage Week was lengthened to an entire month under President Ronald Reagan’s term.