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  1. News
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  3. Mbda Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month 2019

Hispanic Business Owner

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency is proud to celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans as part of National Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 - October 15. 

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, observed during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. In 1989, Congress expanded the observance to a month long celebration (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) of the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.

In proclaiming 2019 National Hispanic Heritage Month, President Donald J. Trump stated "Hispanic-American men and women embody the American values of devotion to faith and family, hard work, and patriotism through their countless contributions as leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and members of our Armed Forces."

Sept. 15 is the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of the independence of five 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.

 

Did You Know?

3.3 million

Estimated number of Hispanic-owned firms nationally in 2012, up from 2.3 million or 46.3 percent from 2007.

337,533

The estimated number of Hispanic-owned employer firms nationally in 2016, up from 312,738 or 7.9 percent from 2015.  

$65.7 billion

The estimated sales/receipts reported by Hispanic employer firms owned by women in 2016. Male-owned Hispanic employer firms reported sales of $305.8 billion. 

59.9 million

The Hispanic population of the United States as of July 1, 2018, making people of Hispanic origin the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority. Hispanics constituted 18.3% of the nation’s total population.

10

The number of states with a population of 1 million or more Hispanic residents in 2018 — Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Texas.

Source: 2012 Survey of Business Owners-Hispanic Owned Firms: 2012, 2016 Annual Survey of Entrepreneurs, Vintage 2018 Population Estimates

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