September 16, 1810… exactly 188 years ago today. Do you know what happened on that day?

If not, then you may need to do a little research. It was at that time that a man, well-known in his own country, stood on the balcony of a church and cried out, “Long live independence! Long live America! Death to bad government!”

Times have certainly changed since that day, which marked the beginning of Mexico’s struggle for independence from Spain.

Mexico would win its independence 14 years later, at the end of the Mexican Civil War, but would eventually lose its precious territories to the same America it once honored in its cry for independence.

How many of us know that Mexico’s territory at that time included not only what we know today as Central America and Mexico, but also the states of California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Utah and parts of Kansas?

How many of us know that the ancient Aztec ancestors of today’s Mexican people gave us such commonplace items as toothpaste, deodorant and breath fresheners?

And how many of us know that the dollar sign, so much a part of our daily lives, was first adopted from the Spanish coat of arms, which read “Plus ultra”?

Hispanic Heritage Month is intended as a celebration of Hispanic culture, but not just for Hispanics (often defined as Spanish-speaking peoples).

It is also a time for others to increase their awareness of the history and contributions of these often-silent members of our society.

If eating burritos at Panchero’s is your way of celebrating Hispanic culture, at least be aware that there are many other ways to celebrate.

If you want to know more, go to the Internet and look up “Hispanic Heritage Month” or “www.latino. link,” where you will find pages and pages of littleknown facts about the contributions of Hispanics to American culture.

Find out how many Latinos have been named Nobel Prize laureates.

Find out why Pablo Neruda called Mexico “the last magical country.”

And sure, eat a burrito, too. But remember that if it weren’t for the Aztecs, we wouldn’t have beans, corn, tomatoes — or chocolate, for that matter.

Salud!