Asian/Pacific Heritage Month in US History and Culture

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to honor and celebrate the diverse cultures and contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. The term Asian/Pacific is broad and includes the entire Asian continent along with the Pacific Islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, Federated States of Micronesia), and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Easter Island).

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How It Started

Like many commemorative months, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month was established by Congress. It began in 1977 when Representative Frank Horton of New York introduced a resolution to recognize Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week in early May. Senator Daniel Inouye introduced a similar resolution in the Senate. Although these initial resolutions didn’t pass, Horton introduced another resolution in 1978, proposing that the President designate a week in May for this observance. This time, the resolution passed, and President Jimmy Carter signed it into law on October 5, 1978, officially making the first Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week in May 1979.

The observance remained a week-long event for the next decade, with presidents issuing annual proclamations. In 1990, Congress expanded it to a month-long celebration, and in 1992, the designation of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month became official through Public Law 102-450.

Why May?

May was chosen for two key historical reasons:

• May 7, 1843: The date marks the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the United States.
• May 10, 1869: The completion of the transcontinental railroad, which Chinese immigrant workers primarily built.

Exploring Asian/Pacific American Heritage

This month is an opportunity to learn more about the histories, cultures, and achievements of Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The Library of Congress and other organizations offer a wealth of digital and physical resources for those who want to explore this rich heritage.

Whether through literature, art, music, or historical accounts, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is a time to recognize these communities' profound and lasting impact on the U.S. and beyond.

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