Hispanic Heritage Month is special in the border region of El Paso. In honor of the month, UTEP athlete Leslie Gutierrez chooses to celebrate by being surrounded by her family.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the start of Hispanic Heritage Month dates to 1968 and has continued since.
The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on Sept. 15 and ending on Oct. 15. It was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.