At Cypress Lawn, it’s an honor to celebrate and pay tribute to our Hispanic friends and neighbors, commemorating all of our community’s diverse cultural and religious traditions.
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States each year starting on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15. The observation of this holiday began in 1968 when President Lyndon Johnson established Hispanic Heritage Week. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan expanded this observance to 30 days. It was officially enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988.
You may be wondering … why Sept. 15? Sept. 15 marks the anniversary of the independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico celebrates its independence anniversary on Sept. 16, with Chile celebrates on Sept. 18.
Whether you’d like to celebrate the heritage of your family’s legacy or if you come from a different culture and want to support and encourage our Hispanic neighbors in the Bay Area, there are many ways you can participate.
Note: Before attending any in-person events or visiting a merchant, please be sure to check the organization’s website or call ahead, as circumstances are constantly changing due to COVID-19, along with the requirements for entry into establishments.
Attend an Educational Program or Event
The San Francisco Public Library is offering a variety of free programming in honor of Latinx artists and authors. Click here to see the full list of events or check out a few we’ve highlighted below.
- 15 at 4 p.m. – Workshop: The Birds and Stories of Central American Artist Fernando Llort
- 15 at 7 p.m. – Panel: Latinx Mystery Writers
- 22 at 4 p.m. – Workshop: Aztec Chimalli/Shields
- 28 at 7 p.m. – Author: Carolina de Robertis in conversation, The President and the Frog
Celebrate and Support Local Vendors
Located within the heart of San Francisco’s Mission District, Calle 24 celebrates Hispanic arts, culture, and commerce. The district consists of 14 blocks along 24th Street between Valencia Street and Potrero Avenue. In Calle 24, there is something for everyone, from restaurants to art galleries to theaters. Click here to see some of the most popular highlights of Calle 24 and click here to learn more about the area’s merchants.
Revisit the History of San Francisco
Did you know San Francisco is home to an open-air architectural museum, featuring over 700 buildings, located inside a 1,491-acre National Historic Landmark District? The Presidio was established as a Spanish military outpost in 1776. It is the longest operating military outpost in the American West. According to the National Park Service, “The Presidio played a critical role in not only Spanish exploration and frontier expansion, but also in all major North American military conflicts from the Mexican-American War through World War II and Vietnam.” Learn more here.
We hope you find the information in this blog helpful to your family. At Cypress Lawn, we have many bilingual staff members who can help with any questions you may have about end-of-life planning. If you need our immediate assistance, you can reach us 24/7 at 650-755-0580 or through our website.
