Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the history, cultures and contributions of Latinx Americans whose families and ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

Hispanic Heritage Month actually began as a commemorative week when it was first introduced in June of 1968 by California Congressman George E. Brown. The push to recognize the contributions of the Latinx community had gained momentum throughout the 1960s when the civil rights movement was at its peak and there was a growing awareness of the United States' multicultural identities.

The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law last week, makes historic investments in our communities. Creating union jobs, taxing the rich, combatting climate change and lowering health care costs are at the forefront of the bill's goals.

If you want details on what else is in this historic bill, keep reading ⤵⤵⤵

Health Care

• 13 million people will save an average of $800 per year on health insurance premiums.
• Prevents premium hikes for people with Affordable Care Act coverage.

Prescription Drugs

• Medicare can negotiate prescription drug costs, which can lower costs for millions of people.
• Caps insulin costs at $35/month for Medicare beneficiaries.

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It was on June 19, 1865 that Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, made it to Galveston, Texas with the news that the Civil War had ended and that slaves were now free. This news arrived two and a half years after President Lincoln signed into effect the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves held in the 11 Confederate states that had seceded from and which were at war against the Union. The Proclamation became official on January 1, 1863, and in every Confederate state, except Tennessee and Texas, the Proclamation went into immediate effect in the Union-occupied areas.

The Emancipation Proclamation had little to no impact on Texas due to the lack of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger and his regiment, they were finally able to overcome the Confederacy.