Let’s Talk Latino Influence in the U.S.

We are currently celebrating the 49th edition of the Hispanic Heritage celebration in the United States. Since President Lyndon B Johnson signed into law the inaugural Hispanic Heritage celebration, the Latino population of the United States has increased by an astounding 526%. In 1968, just 9 million Latinos in the US were enough for President Johnson to sign Hispanic Heritage Week into law:

Lyndon B. Johnson 36th President of the United States

It is with special pride that I call the attention of my fellow citizens to the great contribution to our national heritage made by our people of Hispanic descent — not only in the fields of culture, business, and science, but also through their valor in battle.

In 1988 as the celebration approached its 20th anniversary, the Latino population of the United States had more than doubled to nearly 20 million. It has been suggested that a minority group begins to exert influence over its environment when it reaches approximately 8%. The US population in 1988 was fast approaching 9% and by then they had already contributed countless innovations in the fields of fashion, entertainment and civil rights among others.

US Representative Esteban Torres thus introduced HR 3182 to extend the official Hispanic Heritage celebration to a full month with the objective of educating the public:

We want the public to know that we share a legacy with the rest of the country that includes artists, writers, Olympic champions, and leaders in business, government, cinema, and science.

In singing the bill into law, President Reagan honored the importance of Latinos to America’s destiny:

It’s not only the heritage of these 19.4 million Americans of Spanish-speaking descent, it’s part of my heritage, too, and my family’s heritage and the heritage of every American as well.

All America is becoming ever more aware of the contributions that Hispanics have made to American life, American culture, and America’s destiny.

The Grey Global Network upholds a single powerful commitment:

To be famously effective in the US today and in the future, you must win with Latinos. Form 1968 to now Latinos have been responsible for over 50% of US population growth. Along the way they have developed a spending power stronger than 6 of the G20 nations and been a force of ingenuity and creativity. So, it’s not uncommon to see children of all backgrounds reciting rhymes from Hamilton and emulating Lin Manuel Miranda. Latinos are of profound consequence to the social, cultural and political fabric of the United States today. During Hispanic Heritage Month, we at Wing celebrate these enduring Latino contributions because we believe that US culture wouldn’t be as rich without famously effective Latinos.