Gov. Bill Lee is planning Proclamation for Hispanic Heritage

Blount County, TN – Hispanic Heritage month is from September 15th – October 15th this year. Tennesseans can find the representation right at home.

Since 1968, America has been expanding diversity and celebrating the Spanish Heritage. According to the United States Census Bureau, the original Hispanic Heritage was a week until President Ronald Reagan issued a 30-day cover in 1988.

Afterwards, Hispanic month enacted into law on August 17th, 1988. The month celebrates the contributions of Americans with Spanish ancestors as well as embraces the wide range of cultures throughout Spain, Central America, and South America.

Proclamation Planning

This year, Gov. Bill Lee’s office has released proclamations for other heritage months such as Native American Indian and Asian Americans. Recently, WATE On Your Side reached out to inquiry about the Hispanic Heritage Month.

“Our office plans to issue a Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation within the month,” Jade Cooper Byers, press secretary at the Tennessee Office of the Governor, said in an email.

FYN News has reached out for more comment on dates and links.

Last year, Gov. Bill Lee did not issue a proclamation and followed up with a tweet that said, “we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and recognize all that these Tennesseans do to make our state flourish.”

It will be the first time since 2014 that a proclamation has been made for Hispanic Heritage month in Tennessee!

Current Events

Following, Tennesseans can find events to celebrate right here at home. Celebrations for the histories and traditions are throughout East Tennessee this year.

Some of those celebrations in Blount County include:

Pellissippi College

• Salsa and Jazz Band (Candela) in the Hardin Valley Campus Courtyard, 10915 Hardin Valley Road in Knoxville on Wednesday Sept. 28th from noon-3 p.m.
• Understanding U.S. Immigration Policies in the Past and Present Via Zoom on Thursday October 6th from 3:30 – 4:00 p.m.

Knoxville Based Centro Hispano

Hola Hora 21st Annual Festival at the World Fair Park Performance Lawn on Oct. 8th – 9th