Observed in May, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI Month) is an annual celebration that recognizes the past and current contributions made by groups and individuals identifying as Asian or Pacific Islander to the history and culture of the United States of America. The background of these groups and individuals spans across both the Oceanic region and the entirety of the Asian continent: from East to South, Central, West and everything in between! Initially beginning as a week of observation in 1979, this annual proclamation was extended to the month that it is today in 1990. The month of May was chosen in commemoration of Nakahama Manjirou (中濱 万次郎), the first Japanese individual to achieve U.S. residency on the date of May 7, 1843. May was also the month of completion of the transcontinental railroad: an incredible feat of engineering realized alongside the labor of over 20,000 Chinese workers. Anyone can celebrate AAPI Month! Whether that would be through reading books, watching films or learning the histories of these cultures—there is always an experience to be found and shared by uplifting the rich stories of underrepresented AAPI ethnic groups. It is through starting conversations that we can build bridges and deconstruct obstacles that block us from caring for one another.
Want to celebrate with us? Join our various activities celebrating AAPI Heritage Month occurring the entirety of May!
Check out these staff picks, specifically curated for children and adults:
Further Reading :
