Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Table of Contents

Introduction & Top Questions References & Edit History Related Topics

Images & Videos

Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

How Chinese immigrants built the Transcontinental Railroad

Who was the first woman of color elected to the U.S. Congress?

The political history of the term “Asian American”

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Q: What is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is a monthlong commemoration of the history and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States . AAPI Heritage Month takes place each year in May, which was permanently designated for the commemoration in 1992 by President George H.W. Bush .

Q: When did Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month originate?

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month emerged from the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week that the U.S. Congress established in 1978 to coincide with anniversaries of significant events in Asian American history. In 1992 President George H.W. Bush permanently designated the month of May as an annual observance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage. President Barack Obama changed the tribute’s name to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in 2009.

Q: Why is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month observed in May?

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month occurs in May to commemorate two important dates in Asian American history. On May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States, and May 10, 1869, marked the completion of the transcontinental railroad, which many Chinese immigrants helped build. These dates were also the focus of the initial Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week established in 1978.

Q: How is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrated?

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with festivals, educational programs, and other activities that centre on cultural history.

United States observance

Written and fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Article History

Related Topics:: United States; Hawaiian; May; Asian American; Pacific Islander

See all related content

What is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

When did Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month originate?

Who is included in Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

Why is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month observed in May?

How is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrated?

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, monthlong commemoration of the history and achievements of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month (also sometimes called Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander [AANHPI] Heritage Month) takes place in the United States each May and was permanently designated AAPI Heritage Month in 1992.

AAPI Heritage Month grew out of the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week that Congress established in 1978. U.S. Pres. Jimmy Carter signed a proclamation announcing the commemoration that year, and the first observance was held in 1979. The resolution set the week at seven days beginning on May 4. That week was chosen because it contained the anniversaries of a pair of significant events in Asian American history: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the United States, on May 7, 1843, and the completion on May 10, 1869, of the transcontinental railroad, which many Chinese immigrants helped build.

Originally, the resolution did not establish Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week as an annual event. Instead, the U.S. president had to issue a proclamation each year declaring the commemorative week. In 1990 Pres. George H.W. Bush expanded the observation into a full month, and in 1992 he permanently designated the month of May as an annual observance. Pres. Barack Obama noted the contributions of Pacific Islanders and changed the name to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, in 2009. Today Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and other communities celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with festivals, educational programs, and other activities.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Meg Matthias.