USPS will recognize National Hispanic Heritage Month, which is held each year from Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
The month honors the history, culture and contributions of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and South America.
In 2017, the Hispanic population of the United States was 58.9 million, or 18.1 percent of the nation’s total population, the U.S. Census Bureau reported this week. People of Hispanic origin represent the nation’s largest ethnic or racial minority.
Approximately 69,300 Postal Service employees — or about 10.9 percent of the organization’s workforce — identify as Hispanic or Latino.
National Hispanic Heritage Month began in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded in 1988 to cover a 30-day period from Sept. 15-Oct. 15.
Sept. 15 marks the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Additionally, Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence during the month.
The federal government’s National Hispanic Heritage Month site has more information.