Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage (May 2025)

📢 Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month - “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience."

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated every May in the United States to recognize the rich cultures, histories, achievements, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. This includes people from East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands, as well as the U.S. territories like Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands.

📜 Why May?

May was chosen to commemorate two important milestones:

• May 7, 1843: The first Japanese immigrants arrived in the U.S.

• May 10, 1869: The completion of the transcontinental railroad, largely built by Chinese immigrant labor.

🌏 Asian Immigration to the United States

Asian immigration has played a vital role in shaping the social, cultural, and economic fabric of the United States. From the first wave of Chinese immigrants in the mid-1800s to more recent arrivals from Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands, each group has contributed uniquely to American life—while also facing significant barriers and discrimination.

🚢 Early Immigration and Labor Contributions

The first major wave of Asian immigration began in the 1850s during the California Gold Rush, with Chinese immigrants arriving to work in mining, agriculture, and the building of the transcontinental railroad. Japanese, Korean, and South Asian laborers followed, many drawn to opportunities in Hawaii’s sugar plantations and the American West.

Despite their contributions, early Asian immigrants faced intense racism, exclusion, and violence. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was the first federal law to ban immigration based on nationality, setting a precedent for future anti-Asian policies.

📜 Restriction and Internment

Asian immigrants continued to face harsh restrictions in the 20th century, including immigration quotas and limited rights to naturalization. During World War II, over 120,000 Japanese Americans were forcibly relocated to internment camps, a violation of civil rights now widely acknowledged as a national injustice.

🌏 Post-1965 Immigration and Community Growth

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 marked a turning point by eliminating national-origin quotas and opening the doors to immigrants from across Asia. As a result, the United States saw a dramatic increase in immigrants from countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, India, Korea, and China—many of whom were professionals, students, or refugees fleeing war and political instability.

Today, Asian Americans are one of the fastest-growing racial groups in the U.S., representing a rich diversity of cultures, languages, and histories.

📚 Sources:

• Library of Congress – Asian Pacific Americans: A Reading List

• National Archives – Chinese Immigration and the Chinese Exclusion Act

• Asian American Education Project – Asian Immigration Timeline

• PBS – Asian Americans Documentary

• Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center – Immigration Stories

📺 Film Series: Asian Americans (PBS Documentary Series)

Asian Americans is a powerful, five-part documentary series produced by PBS that explores the rich history, resilience, and contributions of Asian Americans in the United States. Spanning over 150 years, the series tells the story of immigration, identity, activism, and community through the voices of historians, scholars, and Asian American changemakers.

Each episode highlights key eras and events—such as the Chinese Exclusion Act, Japanese American incarceration during World War II, the fight for civil rights, refugee experiences after the Vietnam War, and the post-1965 immigration boom—while connecting them to present-day struggles for equity and belonging.

📺Watch here: https://www.pbs.org/show/asian-americans

🗂️ Episode Highlights:

1. Breaking Ground – Early immigration and labor contributions in the face of exclusion.

2. A Question of Loyalty – The impact of WWII and Japanese American internment.

3. Good Americans – Cold War politics and the “model minority” myth.

4. Generation Rising – Civil rights activism and student movements in the 1960s–80s.

5. Breaking Through – Modern achievements and challenges in representation and identity.

🌏 Why It Matters:

The series offers students and viewers a deeper understanding of how Asian American stories are integral to American history. It challenges stereotypes, celebrates achievements, and honors the enduring fight for justice and inclusion.

 🎨 Galleries & Online Exhibits

Celebrate the stories, struggles, and triumphs of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities by diving into curated galleries and exhibits that bring their history and culture to life. From powerful photography and folk traditions to civil rights milestones and artistic expression, these resources offer a meaningful way to honor AAPI Heritage Month.

✨ Check out the featured exhibits and discover the depth, diversity, and brilliance of AAPI heritage!

🌏 Honoring Asian American Change Makers

Asian American change makers have shaped every corner of American life—leading movements for justice, advancing science and medicine, transforming the arts, and breaking barriers in politics, education, and culture. Their stories reflect resilience, innovation, and a deep commitment to equity and community.

This month, we celebrate the diverse achievements of Asian Americans whose courage and leadership continue to inspire generations. By learning about their contributions, we not only honor their legacies but also deepen our understanding of the vibrant and vital role Asian Americans play in shaping a more inclusive future.

🌺 Honoring Pacific Islander Change Makers

Pacific Islander change makers have long enriched their communities and the world through their leadership, creativity, resilience, and deep cultural wisdom. From advocating for environmental justice and Indigenous rights to transforming education, politics, sports, and the arts, these trailblazers uplift their heritage while forging new paths forward.

As we celebrate Pacific Islander contributions, we honor the voices, values, and visions that continue to shape a more just and inclusive future—rooted in identity, community, and pride. 

🗓️  AAPI Heritage Month: A Journey Through Time

📚Reading List

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by diving into stories that uplift AAPI voices, histories, and experiences. This curated reading list features powerful fiction, memoirs, poetry, and graphic novels by AAPI authors that explore identity, immigration, resilience, and cultural pride. Whether you're looking to reflect, learn, or be inspired, these books offer meaningful windows and mirrors into the richness of AAPI communities. ✨ Check out the list and find your next great read!

🎉 💬 Ways to Engage This Month:

How Do You Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month?

1. 📚 Learn AAPI History
   Explore key events like the Chinese Exclusion Act, Japanese internment during WWII, and the immigration stories of Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean, Indian, and Pacific Islander communities.

2. 📖 Read Books by AAPI Authors
   Discover stories and perspectives through authors like Grace Lin, Ocean Vuong, Kelly Yang, Amy Tan, and Gene Luen Yang.

3. 🎭 Attend Cultural Events
   Join in parades, cultural festivals, music or dance performances, and traditional art workshops.

4. 🎬 Watch Films or Documentaries
   Screen films such as Minari, The Farewell, or Linsanity, or explore PBS series like Asian Americans.

5. 🍱 Cook or Try AAPI Cuisine
   Share and learn about dishes from countries like Korea, India, the Philippines, Thailand, Samoa, and Hawaii.

6. 🛍️ Support AAPI Creators and Businesses
   Shop from local AAPI-owned businesses, artists, and content creators.

What to learn more?

• Asian & Pacific Heritage Month

• Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island Heritage Month | History

• Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island Heritage Month | NPS

• Explore Asian American and Pacific Islander Stories | NPS

• Asian Americans | Film Series | PBS

• Asian American and Pacific Islander Collection | American Archive of Public Broadcasting

• The Center for Asian American Media

• Japanese American Relocation| Holocaust Encyclopedia

• Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition

• Stop AAPI Hate

As we reflect on the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of AAPI communities that continue to shape and strengthen our world. From generations of immigrants who paved the way with resilience and courage, to modern-day change makers leading in every field, AAPI voices are an essential part of our shared story.

Let us carry forward the lessons we've learned—by continuing to uplift AAPI perspectives, challenge stereotypes, and build a more inclusive and respectful community where all cultures are honored. Celebrating AAPI heritage isn’t limited to a single month; it’s a year-round commitment to learning, listening, and standing together.