The Catawba County Board of Commissioners proclaimed the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at their regularly scheduled meeting on September 15th.
The month-long commemoration of Hispanic heritage, history, and culture begins on September 15th and ends on October 15th.
“Catawba County recognizes the significant contributions of Hispanic people in our County, which has continued to become more culturally diverse, and is committed to recognizing Hispanic and Latino cultural heritage as an important part of our strong, inclusive community,” the proclamation reads.
A framed copy of the proclamation was presented at the meeting to Sonya Valdez Place. Place is the Program Coordinator for Centro Latino, a Hickory-based community resource center that provides services to Hispanic residents of Catawba County.
The organization “empowers, educates & supports the Latino community in a safe and culturally understanding environment, and promotes unity among the residents throughout the Unifour area,” according to their website.
The county’s proclamation suggests that residents “celebrate this month through activities and programs that enlighten and inspire our understanding of the amazing heritage of our Hispanic families, neighbors and friends.”
One such celebration, the “We Are All America” (Todos Somos America) festival, will be hosted in Hickory’s Union Square on Sunday, September 21st by Centro Latino. The event will feature a Quinceañera’s parade, food trucks, music, and award ceremonies.
Hispanic Heritage Week was originally signed into federal law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966. It was later expanded to a month in 1988 under the Ronald Reagan administration. The commemoration, known in Spanish as “Mes de Herencia Hispana,” marks the anniversary of the “Cry of Delores,” a call to arms that began the Mexican War for Independence on September 16th, 1810.