The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) proudly recognizes Latino Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 to celebrate the history, achievements, contributions, and diversity of the Latino community.

As shared in Governor Walz’s 2021 Proclamation, September 15 marks the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, which this year celebrate their Bicentenary of Independence. Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30-day period.

In Minnesota, Hispanic/Latino Veterans comprise approximately 2 percent of our Veteran population. In 2017, we shared about the historic moment when Minnesota had two Hispanic Commanders at the same time: Mick Aguirre for Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and Joe Mauricio of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – read on MDVA’s blog.

Want to learn more about Latino/Hispanic History in the U.S. military?

• U.S. Army
• U.S. Coast Guard
• U.S. Marine Corps
• U.S. Navy
• National Guard
• Hispanic and Latino Aviators, San Diego Air & Space Museum

To get connected to Veteran and community resources and educational tools, check out these sites.

• Minnesota Council of Latino Affairs: mn.gov/mcla/ and community resources list.
• University of Minnesota – Chicano and Latino Studies: education/arts, advocacy and service organizations list.
• Hennepin County Library: Celebrando Juntos – Celebration of Latino culture and language with book lists, online events and more.
• MN Media: Radio Rey, La Raza, La Prensa De Minnesota, La Voz Latina
• MN Marketplaces: Mercado Central, El Burrito Mercado
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs - Center for Minority Veterans (CMV), CMV’s newsletter The Voice.
• Latino Center Smithsonian
• Hispanicheritagemonth.gov
• PBS Hispanic Heritage Special, PBS Programming