Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
On October 13, 2015, Mayor Robert Garcia, Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez, and Councilmember Roberto Uranga celebrated the first City of Long Beach Hispanic Heritage Month. The festivities were held outside at Centennial Plaza, adjacent to City Hall.
Mariachi Imperial de Mexico
They then transitioned into the Council Chamber as the City Council heard a very special presentation on the contributions of Latinos in Long Beach and the surrounding region from Dr. José F. Moreno and a performance by Mariachi Imperial de Mexico!
Mariachi Imperial De Mexico was originally formed in 1968 in the enchanting city of Morelia, Michocan in Mexico. The original members of this mariachi group united two families, the Rodriguez Family and the Moreno family, the original director was Ramon Rodriguez.
Dr. José F. Moreno is the Chair of the Chicano & Latino Studies Department and Associate Professor of Latino Education & Policy Studies at California State University, Long Beach.
Councilman Roberto Uranga, Dr. José F. Moreno, Councilwoman Lena Gonzalez, Congresswoman Janice Hahn, and Mayor Robert Garcia
According to the Library of Congress, each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The Library explains that the observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The day of September 15, according the Library of Congress, is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period.
