As Hispanic Heritage Month is underway, celebrations have kicked off in Milwaukee

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Thursday, Sept. 15, several celebrations in Milwaukee kicked off Hispanic Heritage Month.

The Mexican Consulate in Milwaukee celebrated the 212^th year of Mexican Independence. The United Community Senior Center held a celebration with music to celebrate all Hispanic cultures.

"We are celebrating multiple independence days throughout Latin America and you know, that’s important to point out. We're talking about Hispanic Heritage Month and we talk about all the different countries that fall under that category," said Jacobo Lovo, artistic director of Latino arts.

The month-long celebration commemorates those communities who have influenced and contributed to American society.

Hispanic Heritage Month's origins go back to the 60s when the Latino community participated in the Civil Rights Movement.

In the beginning, it was celebrated for a week, but since the 1980s it's been 31 days long.