5 Things You Need To Know Today: September 15

1. Framingham Public Schools are closed today and tomorrow, due to the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah.

Marian High and Keefe Technical schools are both open today.

2. Today starts National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15). The month-long celebration marks the contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture.

This year’s theme is “Honoring our Heritage. Building our Future.”

Hispanic Heritage Month, whose roots go back to 1968, begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period and Columbus Day (Día de la Raza) is October 12.

The term Hispanic or Latino, refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race.

According to this Census, 50.5 million people or 16 percent of the population are of Hispanic or Latino origin. This represents a significant increase from 2000, which registered the Hispanic population at 35.3 million or 13 percent of the total U.S. population.

3. Framingham Selectmen will not meet tonight, due to the Jewish holiday, but will instead hold a meeting Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Building.

4. The main Framingham Library is hosting an open LEGO build from 10 a.m. to noon.

5. MUSTANGS in action:

• Marian High golf team has a match at home at 3:30 p.m.
• Marian High cross country teams have an away meet against Monty Technical at 3:30 p.m.

Yesterday:

• Marian High’s Boys soccer tied St. Joeseph 2-2
• Marian High girls volleyball lost to Hopedale 3-0
  

Editor’s Note: Framingham High athletic teams have no games scheduled today due to the Jewish holiday.