Úrsula Hilaria Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso was born on October 21, 1925 in Havana, Cuba.

Cruz studied to become a teacher, although her dream was to become a singer.

Celia got the opportunity to sing with bands in Cuba in the late '40s and early '50s.

Cruz earned minor success until the 1970s, where she joined a now-legendary salsa ensemble called the Fania All-Stars.

That group also included icon Tito Puente.

Throughout the course of her career, Celia Cruz won four Grammys.

In 1994, President Bill Clinton awarded Cruz the National Medal of Arts.

In the same year, she was inducted into Billboards Latin Music Hall of Fame.

We celebrate Celia Cruz on this day and every day. Happy Latinx Heritage Month!