Hispanic Heritage month is celebrated across the U.S. from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 -- is timed to coincide with several important events -- Mexican Independence Day (Sept. 16), Central American Independence Day in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (all on Sept. 15), and Dia de la Raza (Oct. 12). In LA, with the largest Hispanic population outside of Latin America (4.6 million in LA County), the largest Mexican population outside of Mexico City, and equally strong populations of Central and South Americans, Los Angeles' Hispanic roots are exceptionally strong.
      Time Magazine's recent list of the "25 Most Influential Hispanics in America" was dominated by Angelenos. A third of those on this esteemed list lived in LA, including actress Salma Hayek, comedian George Lopez, and, of course, LA's first Latino mayor since 1872, Antonio Villaraigosa.
   "Hispanic Heritage Month gives us a significant opportunity to celebrate the culture and contributions of Hispanics to the city of Los Angeles," said Villaraigosa. "I'm so proud to be a part of a city that thrives on its diversity and takes time out to recognize this strength in special ways like this."
  While LA savors its Hispanic heritage year-round -- at restaurants and cafes, clubs, ethnic markets -- all that is revved up during Hispanic Heritage Month with terrific celebrations, parades, exhibitions, a film festival, and more. More than 100,000 people are expected at the Mexican Independence Celebration at El Pueblo de Los Angeles, Sept. 16 to 18.
  The Mexican Independence Day Parade is one of the largest events in the city, with 200,000 spectators lining the 2.5-mile parade route along Cesar Chavez Boulevard in East LA.

This information was provided by African American Newswire.