Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) is a month-long celebration and recognition of Asian and Pacific Americans held in May. The goal of APAHM is to nurture an appreciation and understanding of Asian/Pacific American culture and to recognize the rich contributions of Asian/Pacific Americans.
(from the Library of Congress)
(from the Library of Congress)
Background
In 1978, a joint congressional resolution established Asian Pacific American Heritage (APAH) Week. The first 10 days of May were chosen to coincide with two key anniversaries: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (May 10, 1869). In 1990, President George Bush signed an extension making the week-long celebration into a month-long. Finally, Public Law 102-450 approved in October 23, 1992, designated May of each year Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Asian Pacific American is a political appellation that encompasses many ethnic groups with diverse backgrounds, histories, languages, and cultures. The term attempts to give expression to cultural, linguistic, and ethnic diversity while recognizing common historical experiences in American history. APAH Month celebrates the collective accomplishments of these communities.
