The week of Sept. 15-21, 1968, was designated for a week-long observance of the heritages, histories, cultures, and contributions of Latino residents whose ancestors were Spaniard, Mexican, Caribbean, and Central and South American. Beginning in 1989, we have celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. The 2011 theme is “Many Backgrounds, Many Stories…One American Spirit.”
This year in his Presidential Proclamation, President Barack Obama stated: “Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on our country through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service. They have enhanced and shaped our national character with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multi-ethnic and multi-cultural customs of their community.”
President Obama made history when he nominated (then) Judge Sonia Sotomayor to sit on the US Supreme Court. She became the first Latina and the third woman to serve on the highest Court in the country. According to Gabriela Lemus, Justice Sotomayor, with more than three decades of experience, brought more federal judicial experience to the Supreme Court than any justice in 100 years and more overall judicial experience than anyone confirmed for the US Supreme Court in the past 70 years.
Himilce Novas introduces us to Hispanic individuals in her 1995 book, titled The Hispanic 100: A Ranking of the Latino Men and Women Who Have Influenced American Thought and Culture. She provides biographical sketches of outstanding persons such as Luis Alvarez, Pablo Casals, Dr. Antonia Novello, Oscar de la Renta, Lucille Royal-Allard as well as other scientists, educators, policy makers, advocates, entertainers, and athletes.
Luis Alvarez, research physicist and inventor, was a Nobel Peace Prize winner in physics. His innumerable accomplishments include the invention of the nightscope that was used in Vietnam.
At the age of 95, the musician and humanitarian, Pablo Casals conducted the first performance of his “Hymn of the United Nations” during his appearance before the UN General Assembly.
After an outstanding career as a pediatrician and public health official, Dr. Antonia Novello served as surgeon general during President George HW Bush’s administration.
Oscar de la Renta distinguished himself as the first American designer to show at the Paris ready-to-wear collections.
Lucille Roybal-Allard, daughter of California congressman Edward R. Roybal, is the first woman of Mexican ancestry to serve in the United States Congress.
This nation, with its multiplicity of cultures and ethnicities, is correctly described as E Pluribus Unum (Out of many, one).