Where to Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the Bay Area

Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the culture and traditions of Americans whose ancestry runs through Spain, Mexico, or the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. 

The observance started in September 1968, when Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week, held during the week that included Sept. 15 and Sept. 16. Hispanic Heritage week was expanded to a month in 1988 by Congress, effective the following year. 

Sept. 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. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively. Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, also falls within this 30 day period.

This year's theme is: "Many backgrounds, many stories… one American spirit." 

There are plenty of ways to join in the celebration. Here's a few of the Bay Area's best Hispanic and Latino events, exhibits and more in the coming weeks:

Online

Check out the National Hispanic Heritage Month website from the Library of Congress, which includes history, events and images.

Teachers and parents can introduce their students and children to Hispanic history through the interactive scholastic website, Celebrate Hispanic Heritage. 

Take a historical tour of the California coast through the National Park Service website. Nearby sites rish with Hispanic history include the Presidio of San Francisco and Fort Point National Historic Site in San Francisco.

On Television

KQED hosts a month-long celebration of Latino culture with programs ranging from documentaries to dance performances. Check out the full guide for Hispanic Heritage Month here. 

In Berkeley

Try your feet at , every Monday at the YWCA from 7:45 p.m., or sample a little on Tuesdays from 7:15 p.m.

Visit  for musical entertainment and traditional performances from Mexico and Latin America. 

, music director of Rita Moreno's Life Without Makeup, and his tug of war with modern Latin culture. Then , a Latina icon, at the Berkeley Rep. 

In San Francisco

Visit the Mexican Museum for a dose of Latino art and creative expression. Exhibits include the Tequila Don Julio Collection, which opens to the public on Sept. 23. 

Take a trip to the Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts and discover a variety of events, screenings and performances. 

Do you know of an event, class or exhibit that would be great for celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month? Let us know in the comments.