“Hispanic Americans: One Culture, Many Races” National Hispanic Heritage Month Sept. 15 th to Oct. 15 th

Celebración de las contribuciones de la herencia hispánica Celebration of the contributions of the Hispanic heritage

Ellen Ochoa NASA Astronaut Julia Alvarez Novelist Luis Alvarez Awarded the 1968 Nobel Prize for physics Linda Chavez~Thompson The leading woman in the national labor movement Mario Molina Chemist and atmospheric scientist Winner of the 1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry

Dolores Huerta One the century's most powerful and respected labor movement leaders Co-founded of the United Farm Workers Tania León Conductor, Composer, Music director An international figure in the music world Guadelupe Quintanella Educator & Motivational Speaker César Chávez Renowned labor Leader Co-founded of the United Farm Workers

Nydia Velázquez First Puertorican Congresswomen Aida Alvarez First Hispanic woman to head the U.S. Small Business Administration Louis Caldera The 17th Secretary of the Army on July 2, 1998 Tito Puente Internationally recognized for his seminal contributions to Latin music as a bandleader, composer, arranger, and percussionist.

The Hispanic heritage makes major contributions in: Government, Business, the Arts, Education, Entertainment, Architecture, and Sports Hispanic Americans play a vital role in expanding United States trade with our Latin American neighbors. 1 in 8 people in the U.S. claim Hispanic origin

September 15 marks the anniversary of independence for five Hispanic countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico achieved independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18.

The U.S. Postal Service unveiled the Cesar E. Chavez commemorative stamp, which honors the late former sailor, civil rights and farm labor leader.