National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated the last few weeks, as it kicked off September 15 nationwide. North Texas organizations and businesses have hosted events to honor the Month, including art exhibits, festivals, cultural events and more. Hispanic individuals make up nearly 40 percent of the population in Texas.
The observance of National Hispanic Heritage Month has been taking place each year since 1968, initially as Hispanic Heritage Week, under President Lyndon Johnson. President Ronald Reagan later expanded it to span across 30 days in 1988. September 15 holds great significance as it’s the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
In honor of the Month, Reunion Tower interviewed a few Ambassadors to hear more about why they love their jobs.
Our first video is from Jonathan Blanco, Guest Services Supervisor. Blanco says his favorite aspect of working at Reunion Tower is the view he gets to enjoy each day from the GeO-Deck. Located at 470 ft. in the air, the GeO-Deck is the only indoor/outdoor observation deck the city offers, with 360-degree views of Downtown Dallas and beyond. On a clear day, you can even see Downtown Fort Worth, over 30 miles away. He also says the view helps him relax, and he loves the variety of activities guests can enjoy. In addition, he’s not afraid of heights!
One of his favorite activities is the interactive Halo experience on the Geo-Deck, an arc of 15 displays linked together, creating an interactive surface. The screens respond to touch, and Reunion Tower visitors can learn about Dallas landmarks, history and explore the city through interactive maps. The crown jewel of the Halo experience is the simulation of the Tower’s famous light shows, ranging from holidays to special events.
Check out the video to hear firsthand what our Ambassadors love about Reunion Tower.
