Eva Salas walks us through the history of this month long holiday and events you can attend to celebrate.
Hispanic Heritage Month starts on Thursday, September 15 and ends on Saturday, October 15. This national celebration of Hispanic heritage, as recognized by the United States government, started out as only being observed for one week in 1968 and was expanded to include the whole month in 1988. During this month we celebrate the culture, community and history of people who live in and descend from Spanish speaking countries. These countries include: México, Spain, and all of Central and South America as well as the Caribbean. September 15 is also the anniversary of independence of quite a few Latin countries like Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. México celebrates their independence on the 16 of this month and Chile on the 18. Many Hispanics and Latines take a little extra time to celebrate their own culture and the other Latinx cultures during this month and encourage others to do the same. It is important to remember and recognize the struggle of Hispanic and Latinx people as immigrants and dreamers and celebrate in spite of adversity.
Now that you know the history it’s time to bump up the reggaeton, grab an Inca Kola, or whatever bebida you prefer, and celebrate! Here is a list of events happening in and around Tulsa this month, including special celebrations hosted by TU’s own Latin American Student Association (LASA).
LASA events:
Kickoff to Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) – Mangonadas w/ LASA & LLSA (Latino Law Student Association) at Hurricane Plaza from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on September 15
FAFSA Friday (informational sessional) on September 23
HHM Soccer Game Night on September 25
Latinx dance night at Club Majestic
Festival de las Flores (End of HHM festival)
Keep an eye out for LASA Instagram posts for more details on upcoming events! @lasautulsa
Other events around Tulsa:
Take-and-Make Hispanic Heritage Crafts at Nathan Hale Liberty from 1 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 15
Genealogy Detectives: Researching Latinx American Ancestors at Hardesty Regional Library from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on September 15
Los Festivales y Mercados: Día de la Independencia at Whittier Square Historic District from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on September 17
Festival Americas at The Guthrie Green in Downtown Tulsa on September 24
Also, don’t forget to support your Hispanic community and shop at locally owned Latinx businesses:
Pancho Anyia (Mexican bakery)
El Arepaso Venezuelan Cafe
Pachac Peruvian Food
El Tequila (Mexican restaurant)
Que Gusto (Ecuadorian restaurant)
Las Tres Fronteras (Honduran restaurant)
Cocina Centroamericana (Salvadoran restaurant)
Supermercados Morelos (Latinx grocery store)
Volunteering can also be a great way to celebrate! You could:
If bilingual, you could translate at a local health clinic
Work with children at Conexiones
Donate or volunteer with Telatúlsa
Volunteer with LASA
Volunteering is always appreciated no matter what you do.
You can read more about Hispanic Heritage Month on:
https://www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov/about/
Latin American Student Association (LASA) Instagram
https://instagram.com/lasautulsa?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
