With a declaration by Central American Criollos on Sept. 15, 1821, five countries announced their independence from Spain. The date would later signify the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month in the U.S.

The five Central American countries -- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua -- are celebrating 193 years of independence. While the five countries would be recognized by different names over the next several decades, including the Federal Republic of Central America and the Greater Republic of Central America, the countries would later mold their own and respective sovereign territories.

According to the White House, this year's theme for National Hispanic Heritage Month is "Hispanics: A Legacy of History, a Present of Action and a Future of Success." President Barack Obama and his administration have made attempts to improve partnerships with the five Central American countries. In regards to better collaboration with El Salvador, Obama said in March 2013 the region is "on the move" and "ready to assume a greater role in world affairs."

"And for all these reasons, I believe that Latin America is more important to the prosperity and security of the United States than ever before. With no other region does the United States have so many connections. And nowhere do we see that more than in the tens of millions of Hispanic Americans across the United States, who enrich our society, grow our economy and strengthen our nation every single day," said Obama.

Millions of people are expected to celebrate in the streets to showcase their country's flags, which have all kept the blue and white theme. According to Alma Latina, the countries celebrate with military-style parades, bands and other forms of entertainment.

Since 2013, the Central American countries have made headlines in the U.S. for numerous reasons. Costa Rica, with the smallest population of the five countries -- 4.8 million -- has looked to improve foreign direct investments with prominent U.S. companies launching operations in the country while trying to fix tax methods for companies trying to evade taxation.

With the largest population of 14.6 million, Honduras recently made efforts to improve security and intelligence communication by partnering with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala have also partnered to improve immigration systems in their countries, Mexico and the U.S. With millions of Central Americans now in the U.S., Latinos have also made efforts to improve the lives of fellow Central Americans. According to We Belong Together Co-Chair Andrea Cristina Mercado, Central American immigrant women and their families "give so much" to the U.S. With We Belong Together, Central American families from Miami to Washington, D.C. this week were able share their experiences of having members of their family deported.

"Central American immigrants make important contributions to our nation and our economy, many labor as restaurant workers, farmworkers, construction workers, domestic workers, and open businesses at sky high rates, and they have been disproportionately affected by the deportation crisis plaguing our country," said Mercado, who's also campaign director for the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

"Central Americans have been strong leaders in advocating for immigrant rights," Mercado added. "From 8-year-old Jason who courageously told the story of his Guatemalan father's deportation to members of Congress and reporters, to Mayra, originally from Honduras, who worries about her children being deported after braving the border crossing alone fleeing gang violence, the legacy of Central American resistance lives on."

With families and friends together, Latinos have celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with music and food that "extol" their country's culture.

"Even though [U.S.] respondents largely don't celebrate this month, 73 percent consider it extremely important or very important that companies and organizations recognize and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the contributions Hispanics have made to the U.S.," noted the Nielsen report "How Latinos Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month And Beyond."

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