National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15 to October 15 --- a month-long observance to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
Stamps help tell the story of our shared heritage. For over 150 years, the U.S. Postal Service's Stamp Program has celebrated the people, events, and cultural milestones that form our unique American experience. (Refer to Publication 295, "Hispanic People and Events on U.S. Postage Stamps" at http://www.usps.com/cpim/ftp/pubs/pub295e.pdf.)
Today, Hispanic people continue to influence every aspect of our society. And in 2011, a strip of
five stamps — the newest in the Latin Music Legends series — will feature Tito Puente, Carmen Miranda, Selena, Carlos Gardel and Celia Cruz.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover the current 30-day period. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Dia de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within the observance.
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