Updated Profile of Iowa's Latino Population Available

An updated profile of Iowa's Latino population, "Hispanic Heritage Month: Latinos in Iowa September 2006" is now available on the State Library's State Data Center Web site at http://www.iowadatacenter.org/Publications/Profiles. The profile was jointly produced by the State Library of Iowa and the Iowa Division of Latino Affairs for National Hispanic Heritage Month, September 15 - October 15. The profile includes the latest demographic, social, and economic facts about Iowa's Latino population.

In 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim a week in September as National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration (September 15-October 15). During this month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.