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Korean American Day

It's time to honor and celebrate the rich culture and contributions of Korean Americans on National Korean American Day!
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When it is?
January 13
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Category
Federal
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Country
United States
Introduction

Get ready to celebrate the contributions and achievements of Korean Americans on January 13 for Korean American Day! This day was first designated in 2003 by Congress to recognize and honor the first Korean immigrants who arrived in the United States in 1903. Since then, Korean Americans have made significant impacts in various fields such as politics, sports, music, and more. From delicious food to vibrant cultural traditions, there's so much to appreciate about Korean American culture. So join in on the festivities and show your support for this vibrant community!

History of Korean American Day

Korean American Day Dates

Korean American Day Timeline

<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1903</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Korean Immigration</div><div class='timeline-text'>102 Korean immigrants arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 13, marking the first wave of Korean immigration to the United States.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1950-1953</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Korean War Immigration</div><div class='timeline-text'>During and after the Korean War, thousands of Korean war brides and adopted children emigrated to the United States.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1965</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Immigration Act Effects</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished national-origins quotas, leading to an increase in Korean immigration through family reunification visas.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s-1990s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Growth of Korean American Community</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Korean American population grew significantly with new waves of immigrants contributing to the expansion of Koreatowns across the United States.</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'>L.A. Riots Impact</div><div class='timeline-text'>The L.A. Riots significantly impacted the Korean American community and advanced efforts for political representation and organizations advocating for community rights.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Inauguration of Korean American Day</div><div class='timeline-text'>The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution recognizing the contributions Korean Americans have made to the United States and established January 13 as "Korean American Day".</div></div></div>

How to Celebrate Korean American Day

<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'>Attend a Korean cultural festival</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Celebrate Korean American Day by attending a local Korean cultural festival! You can enjoy traditional food, music, and dance while learning more about Korean culture and history.</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'>Watch a Korean movie or drama</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spend the day immersed in Korean culture by watching a Korean movie or drama. You can choose from classics like "Oldboy" or "My Sassy Girl" or catch up on the latest K-drama craze.</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'>Try cooking a traditional Korean dish</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Challenge yourself in the kitchen by cooking a traditional Korean dish. You can find recipes online for dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, or kimchi jjigae. Don't forget to invite some friends over to share in the delicious meal!</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'>Visit a Korean American museum or exhibit</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Learn more about Korean American history by visiting a local museum or exhibit. You can see artifacts, photographs, and stories that highlight the contributions and experiences of Korean Americans throughout history.</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'>Wear traditional Korean clothing</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Embrace the beauty of traditional Korean clothing by wearing a hanbok or a modernized version of it. You can even organize a hanbok fashion show with your friends and family to celebrate Korean American Day in style.</p></div></div>

Why Korean American Day 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 honors and celebrates the contributions of Korean Americans to American society</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Korean American Day is a time to recognize and appreciate the cultural, economic, and social impact that Korean Americans have had on the United States. From business leaders to artists and activists, Korean Americans have made significant contributions in all areas of American life.</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 and inclusivity</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Korean American Day highlights the importance of embracing diverse cultures and perspectives within the United States. By celebrating this day, we are acknowledging the richness that comes from cultural diversity and promoting understanding and acceptance among different communities.</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 raises awareness about important issues affecting Korean Americans</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Through events, discussions, and educational programs surrounding Korean American Day, we can learn more about the challenges faced by this community and work towards addressing them. This holiday serves as a platform for advocacy and a call to action to support and uplift Korean Americans in their struggles.</p></div></div>

5 Facts About Korean American Culture

<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Korean Americans Have Contributed Significantly to Different fields</h3><p class='facts-content'>From politics to sports, music, and more, Korean Americans have made notable contributions in every aspect of American life and continue to do so.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Korean Cuisine is a Reflection of Korea's Rich History and Culture</h3><p class='facts-content'>Famous Korean dishes such as kimchi, bibimbap, and bulgogi have origins dating back hundreds of years and continue to be a large part of Korean American culture today.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Korean Language is Distinct and Unique</h3><p class='facts-content'>Hangul, the Korean alphabet, was invented in the mid-15th century, making it one of the youngest alphabets in the world. It is known for its science-oriented, phonetic structure.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>K-Pop and Korean Drama Have a Massive Global Following</h3><p class='facts-content'>Culture exports like K-pop music and K-dramas shows have garnered millions of fans worldwide, greatly influencing the global entertainment industry. Korean American artists have played a large role in these sectors.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Traditional Korean Dress, Hanbok, Represents the Beauty of Korean Culture</h3><p class='facts-content'>Hanbok, a traditional Korean dress, is a symbol of Korea's cultural heritage and is often worn by Korean Americans during festivals and special occasions to pay tribute to their roots.</p></div></div>

Korean American Day FAQs

When is Korean American Day?

Korean American Day is celebrated on January 13th every year. In 2024 Korean American Day will occur on a Saturday.

Korean American Day Dates

Year
Date
Day

2023

Jan 13

Friday

2024

Jan 13

Saturday

2025

Jan 13

Monday

2026

Jan 13

Tuesday

2027

Jan 13

Wednesday

Federal Holidays