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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month and honor the immense contributions of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders to our culture and society!
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When it is?
May 1
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Introduction

Celebrate the rich history of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month on May 1st! This month-long celebration honors the many contributions and achievements that the AAPI community has made to our country. It is a time to recognize their struggles, celebrate their successes, and embrace their culture. From music to art to food, AAPI Heritage Month celebrates all forms of creativity and encourages us to continue learning about this vibrant culture. So let's take this opportunity to honor AAPI heritage and show our support for an inclusive America!

History of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1977</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Congressional Bills Introduced</div><div class='timeline-text'>Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced resolutions to Congress to proclaim the first ten days of May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1978</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>President's Proclamation of Heritage Week</div><div class='timeline-text'>President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint Resolution designating the annual celebration Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1990</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Increased to a Month-Long Celebration</div><div class='timeline-text'>George H.W. Bush signed a bill passed by Congress to extend the Asian-American Heritage week into a month.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1992</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Perennial Celebration Enacted</div><div class='timeline-text'>A law permanently designating May of each year as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month was enacted.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1997-1999</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Further Recognition and Naming</div><div class='timeline-text'>Due to growing demand, the official observance name was updated in successive years to Asian/Pacific Islander American Heritage Month then eventually to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Watch a movie</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to watch a movie that celebrates the culture of Asian American and Pacific Islanders, like Crazy Rich Asians or The Joy Luck Club.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a cultural event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Look up cultural festivals in your area or online and attend one. Many cities host events where you can learn more about Asian American and Pacific Islander culture.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Read a book</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Read books written by authors from the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities or books about the culture. A great place to start is Julie Otsuka's novel, When The Emperor Was Divine.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Explore a museum</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Visit an Asian American or Pacific Islander museum to learn more about the history and culture. There are several museums located around the U.S.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Find local organizations that focus on helping the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and volunteer your time and energy to help out.</p></div></div>

Why Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is Important

<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It Recognizes the Diverse Communities</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Asian American Heritage month is important because it recognizes and celebrates the many diverse communities in the US which are made up of people from East, South and Southeast Asia. It's a chance to learn more about their rich cultures and histories, as well as exploring shared experiences such as immigration, discrimination and resilience.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It Promotes Diversity & Inclusion</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage, we can promote diversity& inclusion in our society. Many AAPI communities have faced racism and other forms of oppression, so it is essentialto recognize these communities for their contributions to society and work towards creating an environment where everyone feels safe and respected.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It Inspires us to be Proud of our Culture</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month inspires us to be proud of our culture. As members of the AAPI community,we can celebrate by attending cultural festivals, learning new recipes inspired by traditional dishes from Southeast Asian countries or simply reflecting on our own unique cultural identity.</p></div></div>

5 Uncovered Facts for AAPI Heritage Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month FAQs

When is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated on May 1 every year. In 2024 it will fall on a Wednesday.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

May 1

Monday

2024

May 1

Wednesday

2025

May 1

Thursday

2026

May 1

Friday

2027

May 1

Saturday

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