Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

MIAMI – The Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board (HAAB) is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, which is commemorated annually from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

The HAAB Hispanic Heritage Month Exhibit will kick off on Oct. 3 in the lobby of the Stephen P. Clark Center, 111 NW 1st St., and will run through Oct. 31. The exhibit will be presented in conjunction with the Miami-Dade County Office of Economic Development and International Trade and will feature cultural items and information from the local consulates that represent Latin American countries. The exhibit also will feature artwork by local Hispanic artists for the 17th Annual Hispanic Art Expressions.

The observance of Hispanic Heritage Month started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan and enacted into law in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15.

September 15 is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively.

“On behalf of HAAB, I invite the community to join in the celebration of the rich and diverse Hispanic culture in Miami-Dade County during this year’s observance of Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Abbie B. Cuellar, Chairperson of the Miami-Dade County Hispanic Affairs Advisory Board.