News / Published on Sep 18, 2023

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month

This yearly celebration focuses on the culture, accomplishments, and roles Hispanic-Americans have contributed to the United States.
Flags from Hispanic countries surround the words

Observation for Hispanic Heritage Month started with former President Lyndon Johnson in 1968 and was initially named Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, former President Ronald Reagan expanded the weeklong honoring to a 30-day celebration.

National Hispanic Heritage Month starts Sept. 15 and ends Oct. 15., which encompasses several significant dates:

  • Sept. 15 Independence days for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
  • Sept. 16 Mexico’s Independence Day
  • Sept. 18 Chile’s Independence Day
  • Sept. 21 Belize’s Independence Day
  • Oct. 12 Dia de la Raza

Celebrating the cultural blending of Indigenous peoples and Spanish heritage

Alexander Arellano, service ambassador lead shares, “Hispanic Heritage Month holds significant importance to me as it’s a reminder to reflect upon the roots of my heritage. I am a second-generation Hispanic and I have been fortunate to hear the cherished stories of my family’s history in Mexico and the time-honored traditions that are deeply woven into our cultural identity. This month provides an opportunity to honor and preserve the rich heritage that I come from.”

Hispanic culture is woven into the fabric of society, and the influence can be seen throughout history, literature, entertainment and language. In the transportation industry, there have been many influential Hispanic-Americans who have shaped the transportation industry. A few that have achieved major milestones include:

  • Nuria Fernandez, the first Afro-Latina and woman of color to lead the Federal Transit Administration.
  • Elwood “Pete” Quesada was elected as the first Federal Aviation Agency Administrator for the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA).
  • Victor Mendez served as the Federal Highway Administrator. He created the Every Day Counts initiative, focusing on shortening project delivery, accelerating technology and innovating deployment.

To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month this year, be sure to check out these events and don’t forget to use the Plan My Trip Tool to get there:

At Community Transit, we value the diverse and unique perspectives current and new employees bring to the agency. If you want to learn about career opportunities at Community Transit and how to help people get from where they are to where they want to be, click here.

Written by Dylan Holmes, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Consultant