The term Hispanic, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Spanish-speaking people in the United States of any race. On the 2000 Census form, people of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or "other Spanish/Hispanic/Latino." More than 35 million people identified themselves as Hispanic or Latino on the 2000 Census.

Information Please feature on Hispanic Heritage Month

ANSWER: Congress designated each October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). The Office of Disability Employment Policy has the lead in planning NDEAM activities and materials to increase the public's awareness of the contributions and skills of American workers with disabilities. Various programs carried out throughout the month also highlight the specific employment barriers that still need to be addressed and removed.

This effort to educate the American public about issues related to disability and employment actually began in 1945, when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week." In 1962, the word "physically" was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to "National Disability Employment Awareness Month." (From ODEP)

November is National American Indian Heritage Month
National American Indian Heritage Month gives everyone a chance to learn more about the real lives of Native Americans. No one knows precisely how these people arrived here -- they may have walked over a "land bridge" from Asia to Alaska, or come over in early boats. Many scientists believe there were 50 to 100 million Indians in the Americas by the time Christopher Columbus landed in 1492. Native Americans are called "Indians" because Columbus and other early Europeans thought they had found India.

One famous Indian leader is shown at left. We know him as Chief Joseph, the leader of the Nez Perce. He tried to preserve his people's freedom by talking with the U.S. government, and also led them in battle. Do you know anything else about Chief Joseph? Who are some other famous Indians?

But Indians do not just exist in history. Their cultures are still alive, whether they live on their people's land, or "reservation," or not. The head of the NMAI is W. Richard West, a successful Native American lawyer from New Mexico. Do you know anyone with Native American ancestors? On the right we see some of the Navajo "Code Talkers." These men worked for the U.S. Army during World War Two keeping secrets safe. They created a secret code based on the Navajo language that our enemies couldn't break. Have you ever heard of the Code Talkers? What else would you like to learn about Native Americans?

Taken from Post-News Education.com