Ocoee recognizes, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month started Tuesday, Sept. 15, and the city of Ocoee is joining in on recognizing the nationwide observance.

The city will observe Hispanic Heritage Month through Oct. 15. Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the contributions of Americans whose ancestry originates from Spain, Mexico, Central America, South American and the Spanish-speaking nations of the Caribbean.  According to Ocoee officials, Hispanic and Latino residents represent 22% of the city's population.

Mayor Rusty Johnson will read a Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation during the Sept. 15 City Commission meeting, and pole banners proclaiming "Ocoee Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month" will be displayed along Clarke Road. Additionally, Hispanic art will be on display at City Hall. 

The city also will air a series called "Latino Americans: The 500-Year Legacy that Shaped a Nation" on Ocoee TV, Spectrum channel 493. The series is a six-hour documentary featuring interviews with nearly 100 Latinos and spans more than 500 years of history. It will also be live-streamed and can be accessed by clicking here.

"The series is the first major television documentary to chronicle the rich and varied history and experience of Latinos, who have helped shape North America over the last 500-plus years and have become, with more than 50 million people, the largest minority group in America."

All episodes start at 9 p.m. on these days: "Empire of Dreams" on Mondays; "War and Peace" on Tuesdays; "The 'New Latinos'" on Wednesdays; "Prejudice and Pride" on Thursdays; "Peril and Promise" on Fridays; "Famous Hispanic Americans" on Saturdays and "Foreigners in Their Own Land" on Sundays.