In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, we would like to send a warm acknowledgement to all of our Hispanic-Latino(a) coworkers within the TFNB family and beyond! Every year, from September 15 to October 15, we celebrate the rich cultures and contributions of our Hispanic-Latino communities that are rooted throughout Central Texas and our country.
As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, we wanted to take a deeper dive into the holiday and highlight ways you can celebrate in Central Texas.
How Hispanic Heritage Month Started
At first glance, it seems a bit odd to start a holiday in the middle of a month, but it makes sense when you understand the history behind it.
The celebration begins on September 15 because it’s the anniversary of the independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico’s independence day is on September 16, Chile’s is on September 18 and Belize’s is on September 21. Also, Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within these 30 days.
In 1968, Lyndon Johnson signed a bill into law declaring only a weeklong celebration of Hispanic Heritage. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded the holiday to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.
Strength in Diversity
America is one of the most diverse countries in the world, and we believe it’s one of our country’s greatest strengths. The Hispanic-Latino population is the largest minority group in America and one of the fastest-growing groups in the U.S.
As of 2019, Hispanic Americans made up 18 percent of the U.S. population. And in Waco alone, 32 percent of our community members have Hispanic ancestry.
What is the difference between the terms Hispanic and Latino(a)?
A lot of people mistakenly think that the terms “Hispanic” and “Latino(a)” are used interchangeably. However, there’s an important distinction between the two.
Hispanic is a term that describes people of Spanish-speaking origin or descendants of Spanish-speaking populations. Latino specifically refers to people who are from or descended from people from Latin America.
National Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the contributions of people from a country that has designated Spanish as the primary language, whether they trace their roots to Spain, Mexico, Central or Latin America.
How is Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrated in Central Texas?
With You! Take some time this month to celebrate la cultura, el arte and tradiciones of our Hispanic-Latino community members and friends in Central Texas.
Some cultural events you can participate in include:
- An Ofrenda Display at Baylor’s Mayborn Museum Complex. Through a partnership with the CentTex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, artist Eric Linares has designed an ofrenda where the community is invited to honor loved ones as part of the celebration of Dia de los Muertos. This event is running through November 1.
- Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo Hispanic/Family Day. Visit the Heart O’ Texas Fair & Rodeo on October 17 for the Mexican Rodeo Spectacular, a show honoring the Mexican rodeo culture through expert horsemanship, dance and music.
- Waco’s Dia De Los Muertos Parade. Finish off Hispanic Heritage month with a celebration of the Mexican holiday, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), in Downton Waco on October 30. This event will feature vendors, art, live music, food trucks, activities for kids and a fashion show.
TFNB: Investing In Central Texas and Our Hispanic-Latino Community
At TFNB, we believe strength comes from diversity. We’re committed to investing in our Hispanic-Latino team members, delivering for our Hispanic-Latino clients, and providing financial resources to the community at large.
TFNB is proud to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and to be the bank of choice for Hispanic-Latino clients and small businesses in Central Texas.
If you have any questions or would like to know more about our banking solutions, contact us at 254-840-2836
