Latino Heritage Month Recognized With Alexandria Proclamation

ALEXANDRIA, VA — For a fifth consecutive year, the City of Alexandria will recognize Latino Heritage Month, a month-long recognition of Latino residents' contributions.

Councilmember Canek Aguirre, the first Latino elected to Alexandria City Council, introduced the proclamation on Tuesday. The proclamation was unanimously approved ahead of Latino Heritage Month, which kicks off Sept. 15 and continues through Oct. 15. Latino business and nonprofit leaders, and city staff joined Aguirre for the presentation.

"Latino history is American history. As we recognize and celebrate the contributions of the Latino and Hispanic community to our community and country we reinforce this undeniable fact," said Aguirre in a statement. "I encourage the entire Alexandria community to attend events celebrating Latino culture and heritage throughout this month."

According to the proclamation, more than 26,000 Latinos live in Alexandria, representing nearly 17 percent of the population. Virginia's more than 900,000 Latinos represent nearly 11 percent of the state's population. The United States as a whole has the third-largest Latino population, exceeding those of all Latin American and Caribbean countries except Mexico and Brazil.

For the first time during Latino Heritage Month, the city will fly flags of Latin America alongside the American flag at Market Square from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.

A few of the Latino Heritage Month events include Hispanic Heritage Fiesta on Sept. 30, Latin Dance Class on Oct. 7 and Hispanic Heritage Festival on Oct. 14.