Hispanic Heritage Month dates back to 1968 as weeklong celebration before it was extended

"'Let's do the Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15.' And the reason why September 15 is to coincide with the celebration of Latin American independence," he said."

"And as I was telling you before, Lorenzo De Zavala of Mexican descent, who was vice president of the Republic of Texas, and we have an elementary school here in Houston, and I ask the students, 'Do you know who Lorenzo De Zavala was?' And they don't know. So, it is an opportunity to teach the students the history of this state and this country," he said."

President Lyndon B. Johnson established Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 as the Spanish-speaking population grew. In 1988 President Ronald Reagan expanded the observance to Hispanic Heritage Month, setting it from September 15 to October 15 to coincide with Latin American independence celebrations. Many Central American countries celebrate independence on or near September 15 and Mexico on September 16, linking the chosen dates. Universities and departments of Hispanic studies use the month to teach history and highlight overlooked local trailblazers. The period provides an opportunity to introduce figures like Lorenzo De Zavala, a Mexican-descended vice president of the Republic of Texas. The month is distinct from Cinco de Mayo, which functions more as a social celebration in the U.S.

Read at ABC13 Houston