BUFFALO, NY –Today Mayor Byron Brown, along with County Executive  Mark Poloncarz welcomed Hispanic from Western New Yorker to celebrate  Hispanic Heritage Month September 15 to October 15. The festivities began with recognition of the national holiday at the Buffalo & Erie County Library, One Lafayette Square, today , Thursday September 15, 2016.

The full calendar of events is below.

The opening ceremony will featured civic and community leaders from local, state and the federal government. Community service organizations will also be available to offer information about programs specifically for Buffalo’s Hispanic community.

The Hispanic Heritage Council in collaboration with the arts and cultural groups of our region is proud to offer a full schedule of events. Every program planned is family friendly and culturally educational and informative.

“We believe this month long celebration will be enjoyed by Western New Yorkers as we all embrace the diversity of our region and support its rich cultures” said Martiza Vega., of the Hispanic Heritage Council of WNY Inc.

Featured events include a cadre of activities at the, Buffalo Central Library, Science Museum, Albright Knox Art Gallery, Botanical Gardens, and a special main event program is scheduled for September 30 at the historic Kleinhans Music Hall featuring the Borinquen Dance Theatre and Los Hermanos Moreno, free admission tickets are available at the halls ticket office. To close the month “SALSA FOR A CURE” a benefit for Roswell Park Patient Care Services, will be celebrated on October 14 at 7pm at the Agustin Pucho Olivencia Community Center 261 Swan Street.

Citizens of Hispanic decent have lived in the City of Buffalo and WNY area since the late 1800s after immigrating from countries such as Spain, Mexico, Cuba, regions in South and Central America and the Caribbean including Puerto Rico. This growing population has made significant contributions to the WNY area.

Nationally, Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the contributions of Hispanic Americans to the United States and celebrates Hispanic heritage and culture. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988.

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. They all declared independence in 1821. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.