The United States Hispanic population is the second fastest growing racial or ethnic group in the United States, with 57 million people of Latin American or Spanish origin. In 1988, as a celebration of Latino culture, Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 was declared Hispanic Heritage Month.

In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson decreed that National Hispanic Heritage Week would begin on Sept. 15, a date when many Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala gained their independence. The Mexican and Chilean Independence days follow on Sept. 16 and 18, respectively.

In 1988, Ronald Reagan decided to expand the week to an entire month through Oct. 15 in order to further promote Hispanic culture. The extended celebration includes Chile’s Independence Day (Sept. 18) and Belize’s Independence Day (Sept. 21).

The existence of a month to celebrate Latin American culture and achievements is important in order to recognize an ethnic group that makes up a large portion of the population. The Spanish had a large influence throughout the southwest United States during the period of exploration, and today, Hispanic influence is prominent here in Texas, as well as in California, New Mexico and Florida. Hispanic history is American history; for this reason it is integral that Hispanic Heritage Month exists.

Many media outlets have produced written content to highlight Hispanic history throughout this month, including the Huffington Post.

In 2015, The Huffington Post’s HuffPost Latino Voices released a photo series called “Latinos Break the Mold” to show the diversity in the Latino American community, as well as to celebrate their heritage. Hispanic actors, artists and celebrities, such as Gina Rodriguez, John Leguizamo and Dascha Polanco participated and promoted this event.

This year, The Huffington Post is releasing new videos to celebrate the integral role Hispanic culture plays in America today. They also have a hashtag to encourage people to participate in the conversation, #HHM16.

“Orange is the New Black” star Dascha Polanco, spoke on what being a part of such a diverse heritage means to her in the “Latinos Break the Mold” photo series, according to HuffingtonPost.com.

“Being Latino to me means a fusion of different origins; uniting different cultures, races, ethnicities into one great race,” Planco said. “It’s like the perfect combination.”