MEMPHIS, TN (MSCS) – Each year, Hispanics living in the United States commemorate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15. In addition to celebrating the diverse Hispanic histories and cultures, it highlights the contributions made to the United States by Hispanics and American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

The commemoration began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week, under President Lyndon Johnson. He established it to recognize “the great contribution to our national heritage made by our people of Hispanic descent, not only in the fields of culture, business, and science but also through their valor in battle.” Twenty years later, President Ronald Reagan extended the celebration to a 30-day period; a change prompted by the need for more time to coordinate more meaningful and educational celebrations.

The celebration begins on September 15 because it’s when Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua celebrate the anniversary of their independence. Although Mexico celebrates its “Grito de Independencia” on the night of September 15, Mexico commemorates its Independence Day on September 16, and Chile on September 18.

INDEPENDENCE DAY IN OTHER LATIN AMERICAN COUNTRIES

Cuba – October 10

Panama – November 28

Dominican Republic – February 27

Paraguay – May 14 and 15

Ecuador – May 24

Venezuela – July 5

Argentina – July 9

Colombia – July 20

Peru – July 28

Bolivia – August 6

Uruguay – August 25

Brazil – September 7

HISPANIC POPULATION IN THE U.S., SHELBY COUNTY, AND MSCS

As of late 2024 (and projected for 2025), the Hispanic population in Shelby County is 78,000 people, representing approximately 10% of the total population, according to Data USA and the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Around 64,000 Hispanics live in Memphis. 

In Tennessee, the Hispanic population makes up approximately 7.11% of the total population, according to Data USA. This translates to roughly 496,000 individuals, according to Data USA. 

There are 107,396 students enrolled at MSCS, out of which 22,121 are Hispanic. 

BOLIVAR, TN, AND ITS CONNECTION TO HISPANICS IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE U.S.

For many, the City of Bolivar is just a small town in Tennessee, located between Memphis and Nashville – about 1 hour and 23 minutes (69.4 mi) driving from Memphis. However, Bolivar is rich in history and tradition, and has a very strong connection to the Hispanic community in the U.S.: it was named after Simón Bolívar, the “Liberator of the Americas.”

Being the first town to be established on the Hatchie River, in Hardeman County (1823), the city was aptly referred to as 

Hatchie Town. Because of repeated flooding, a new site, located approximately one mile south of the original site, was selected as the county seat. In 1824, the commissioners appointed by the state assembly to select sites for county seats named Bolivar in honor of South American Liberator Simón Bolívar. The town of Bolivar was officially established on October 18, 1825.

This act was a way to acknowledge the famous Venezuelan revolutionary leader and was reciprocated with a monument gifted to the city by Venezuela in 1983.

Simón Bolívar, also known as “El Libertador” (“The Liberator of the Americas”), was a Venezuelan military and political leader who played a central role in the independence of six countries from the Spanish colonial rule in the early 19th century: Bolivia, Colombia (including Panama), Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela. Through his political and military leadership and countless battles, Bolivar freed these territories and laid the groundwork for democracy in the newly independent nations of South America.

Sources: 

Hispanic Heritage Month, WASV [https://www.wsav.com/now/pres-lyndon-b-johnson-and-national-hispanic-heritage-month/]

City of Bolivar, TN [https://www.cityofbolivar.com/about-us]