WASHINGTON, Sept. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following is the daily "Profile America" feature from the U.S. Census Bureau:

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15: HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Profile America — Saturday, September 15th.  Today marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month — a time to recognize the contributions and vibrant culture of the nation's fastest-growing population group. The idea started as a special week in 1968 and was expanded to a full month 20 years later.  There are 52 million Hispanics in the U.S., close to 17 percent of the total population, forming the nation's largest ethnic or racial minority.  Just under half live in California or Texas, and more than six-out-of-10 are of Mexican background.  Underlining the rate of growth of the Hispanic community, 26 percent of all children under the age of 5 in the U.S. are Hispanic.  You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at www.census.gov.

Sources:  Chase's Calendar of Events 2012, p. 453
               U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB12-FF.19
               The Hispanic Population:  2010

Profile America is produced by the Center for New Media and Promotions of the U.S. Census Bureau. These daily features are available as produced segments, ready to air, on a monthly CD or on the Internet at http://www.census.gov (look for "Multimedia Gallery" by the "Newsroom" button).

SOURCE U.S. Census Bureau