Hispanic heritage deeply embedded in Florida's history Published Sept. 15, 2006 By Dylan Laurie 16th SOW Public Affairs HURLBURT FIELD, Fla -- On Sept. 17, 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim a week in September that included Sept. 15 and 16 as National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance called upon the people of the United States, especially the educational community and those organizations concerned with the protection of human rights, to celebrate with appropriate ceremonies and activities. It was expanded Sept. 13, 1988 to a month-long celebration from Sept. 15 - Oct. 15. During this month, America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean. 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. The roots of Hispanic heritage in America stretch from the Caribbean to California and back more than 500 years. They are also strongly ingrained in the historical and cultural development of Florida into the state that it is today. In 1513, Ponce de Leon landed on the coast of Florida and claimed it for Spain. Amazed by the beauty of the land he named it "Pasqua Florida," or Feast of Flowers. When the Spanish arrived, there were approximately 350,000 Native Americans from three major nations living in the Florida area: the Apalachee, Timucua and Calusa. Spanish soldiers established the first permanent Spanish settlement at St. Augustine, the oldest city in the United States, in 1565. Although it was destroyed and rebuilt many times, the city became the key to Spain's hold on the Florida coast as Spaniards fought the French and British for control of the New World. Pedro Menendez de Aviles and Brother Francisco Villareal were the first Europeans to set foot in what is now Miami in 1566. They came to build a Jesuit mission in lands heavily populated by Tequestan Indians. Then in 1819, Spain ceded Florida to the U.S. as part of an agreement that recognized Texas as part of New Spain. Florida's population was becoming an eclectic mix of U.S. settlers, Spaniards, Seminoles, runaway slaves and English traders. Three years later, citizens of Florida elected Joseph Ma-rion Hernandez to Congress in 1822 as a territorial delegate. He was the first Latino in the history of the U.S. to serve in Congress. The focal point of Florida's Hispanic Heritage Month is to commemorate the multiplicity of Florida's Hispanic-American population, and distinguish its augmentation since the days of early immigration. It's a magnificent occasion to inform, especially students, on the numerous contributions Hispanics have been a part of, and the impact their influences have had on Florida's momentous development as a melting pot and "Gateway to the Americas." The following is a list of events at Hurlburt Field to honor Hispanic Heritage Month. Dates and events are subject to change: Sept. 29 - Single elimination soccer tournament, 8:30 a.m. to noon at the HAWC Oct. 6 - Latin dance, 6 p.m. to midnight at the 823rd RED HORSE Squadron Auditorium Oct 12 - Hispanic luncheon, location to be determined The Hispanic Heritage Committee meets 1 p.m. Tuesdays in building 90210, MEO classroom, Suite 244.