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National Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 – October 15

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, APS celebrates the contributions that Hispanic / Latino Americans have made to our nation, and especially to Arlington and our schools, over the years. We also take this time to recognize the trailblazing individuals who fought for progress and equity for their communities. National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the histories, cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

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Hispanic Heritage Student Leaders

Hispanic Heritage Month Events

Arlington    

  • Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month all month long with Arlington Public Library!   Check out their event calendar for Latin Dance Lessons, Stories for Children, a screening of “Coco,” Sugar Skull Craft, and so much more!
  • Sat, Sept. 27 5-9 p.m. Festival Latinoamericano Arlington County’s signature event,at Arlington Mill Community Center. Join us as we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, authentic Latino food, artistic presentations, games for kids and much more! The event is free and includes a full afternoon of engaging programming for guests of all ages.
  • National Hispanic Heritage Month means it’s also a good time to visit monuments and learn more about history. Visit the United Spanish War Veterans Memorial located on Memorial Avenue in Arlington, west of Arlington Memorial Bridge.

Alexandria

  • Sat. Oct 12, 1 p.m. – 3p.m. Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with live music, crafts, face painting and food! The fiesta will take place outside in Beatley Central Library’s beautiful Reading Garden.

Washington D.C.  

Fairfax  

  • Sat, Oct. 5  2 p.m. – 7 p.m.  Old Town Square  10415 North Street, Fairfax  Fiesta Fairfax is community celebration to observe Hispanic Heritage Month to include cultural performances, music, food and educational exhibits highlighting the contributions and experiences of the Hispanic, Latino and Latinx community.

Background

This celebration began in 1968, when President Lyndon B. Johnson first issued a proclamation to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Week. (Learn More) Later, Congress passed a bill to extend the celebration to last an entire month, which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, and National Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated every year since 1989. The dates for Hispanic Heritage Month were chosen to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations of many Latin American nations — Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua — that declared their independence from Spain on September 15, 1821. Chile, Mexico, and Belize also each have their own Independence Day celebrations on days throughout the month as well.