Each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the U.S. Army values the contributions of American Soldiers with ancestry from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central and South America. Hispanic Americans have not hesitated to defend and show their allegiance to this nation in many ways, but especially through military service. The Army and U.S. draws strength from the diversity that makes up America's melting pot.
Hispanic Heritage Month begins Sept. 15, the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. This month also takes into account the Independence Day of Mexico on Sept. 16 and the Independence Day of Chile on Sept. 18. Throughout Spain and Latin America, Columbus Day is also celebrated as "Hispanity Day."
Pictured: Soldiers of the 65th Infantry are shown after an all-day schedule of maneuvers at Salinas, Puerto Rico, August 1941. Photo courtesy of U.S. Army Center of Military History.