Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and its history

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated annually in May in the United States to honor the contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) throughout the country's history.

The origins of the celebration date back to the 1970s when a group of young activists in California organized a week-long commemoration of Asian American history and culture in May 1977. This week-long event was later expanded to a month-long celebration by Congress in 1990, which designated May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants who arrived in the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was largely built by Chinese immigrant laborers.

Since its inception, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month has been celebrated with various events and activities across the country, including cultural festivals, food fairs, and educational seminars. It provides an opportunity for AAPI communities to showcase their diverse cultures, traditions, and achievements and to raise awareness about the challenges and issues they face.

In recent years, AAPI Heritage Month has taken on renewed importance in light of the rising incidents of anti-Asian hate and violence. The month serves as a reminder of the important contributions that AAPI communities have made to the country's history and the ongoing struggle for justice and equality.

Learn more at https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/asian-american-pacific-islander-heritage-month