EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The 412th Test Wing, in partnership with NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, officially kicked off Edwards AFB’s Hispanic Heritage Month observance Sept. 20 with a ceremony at the Exchange lobby.
“Shaping the Bright Future of America” is the 2017 theme and Edwards will hold events through the rest of the month.
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15. It was enacted into law Aug. 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.
The U.S. government states the day of Sept. 15 is significant because it 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 Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is Oct. 12, falls within this 30 day period.
Here is the list of Hispanic Heritage Month events for Edwards AFB:
Sept. 22 - Library Reading from 10 a.m.-10:45 a.m. at the base library
Sept. 25 - Zumba Party at the Oasis Aquatic Center Aerobic Room; 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Sept. 28 - Youth Center (members only) hosts a cooking demo from 3 p.m.-4 p.m.
Sept. 29 - Movie Under the Stars — “The Book Of Life” — at Chapel 2, from 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
Edwards AFB's Hispanic Heritage Month Committee is inviting everyone to participate and reflect on the contributions made by Hispanic Americans to the nation and U.S. military.