Opening Ceremonies Planned For Hispanic Heritage Month
Edward James Olmos
Actor and director Edward James Olmos will be the keynote speaker at the opening ceremonies Monday (Sept. 17) for the annual Texas A&M celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, with some events beginning even earlier.
Olmos, who has starred in films like “Selena” and “Stand and Deliver” – for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role – is scheduled to speak at the program that begins at 7 p.m. in the Bethancourt Family Ballroom in the Memorial Student Center (MSC).
In celebration of the many contributions Hispanics have made to the university, events are planned throughout the month that will focus on Hispanic issues and culture. The events are sponsored by several Hispanic student and professional organizations on campus.
Although the opening ceremonies are planned for Monday, some events are scheduled to begin this week.
A screening of the film “Selena” is planned for 8 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 12) in the Koldus Student Services Building (JJKB). The event is sponsored by MSC CAMAC and MSC Aggie Cinema.
Hispanic Dancers
The annual Hispanic Heritage Month – Caliente! is planned for 6 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 13) in the Rudder Fountain Plaza. This event celebrates international Latino culture with free food and dance events.
The celebration of Fiestas Patrias Mexicanas is planned for 3 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 15) in Downtown Bryan. The two-day festival includes music, dance, food, traditions and educational opportunities about the Mexican culture. A parade will start at noon on the second day. For more information, visit here.
While campus events will focus on Texas A&M’s Hispanic heritage, the overall month-long celebration is national in scope.
It began 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 and ending on Oct. 15. The start date was chosen because it is the anniversary of the independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. They all declared independence in 1821. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and 18, respectively.
Events planned during the month will examine the many facets of Hispanic life and tradition through cultural displays and reenactments, dance performances, music, panel discussions, lectures and films. Organizers say this is an opportunity for all community members at Texas A&M and in the local community to come together and celebrate the rich and varied customs that stem from Hispanic traditions. For more on the month-long celebration and for a schedule of events, go here.
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Media contact: Tura King, Division of Marketing & Communications, at (979) 845-4670
