ceremonies, workshops, festivals and public displays) to the achievements, contributions and traditions that millions and millions of US Hispanics have to offer.



* The US Hispanic population has grown more than 50% in the last 10 years, and it is expected to continue changing the face of the country throughout the 21st century.



* Hispanics constitute more than 14 or 15% of the total US population. In other words, more than 36 million inhabitants. Researches estimate that this group will number 53 million inhabitants in 2020 and 80 million in 2040.



* The majority of Hispanics in the US come from Mexico (almost 70% of the total Hispanic population to be exact) and Puerto Rico (almost 10%). According to statistics from www.hispanicheritageawards.com, the Hispanic buying power overpasses $561 billion a year, making it a fundamental element in the US economy. Hispanic household incomes have risen from $14,000 a year in 1980 to $29,000 a year in 1996. It currently stands at $34,000 a year, which constitutes an increase of 132%.



* Seventy-two percent of US Hispanics are currently in the work force, either part-time or full-time.

One could say that it is almost impossible to ignore it, much less if you take into consideration that Hispanics are expected to make up much of the US population by the year 2050. Whoever has any doubts can just look around them to see the effect of the wave of Hispanics: ads springing up in Spanish, Spanish-language dailies and magazines in every corner, Hispanic athletes involved in the day's most important plays, a salsa or a reggaeton song on a car's stereo, etc. Due to all of this, and other reasons that I was just not able to mention, having a special period every ...