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Origins of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Ever wonder why May was selected for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?
Article by Rhoda Dizon
May 3, 2009
Culture

"Lighting the Past, Present and Future” is this year’s theme of the sixteenth annual Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month. Sixteen years of celebration has allowed great reflection of the many accomplishments and goals achieved by Asian and Pacific Americans in the United States.  May was selected for the recognition because of two historically significant events that took place in that month. The first event occurred on May 7, 1843 when the Japanese immigrants first arrived in the United States. The second event took place on May 10, 1869 (Golden Spike Day) when the transcontinental railroad was finally completed. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.  Educators benefit from Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May- a time frame to advocate and include APA history into their curriculum.

 
The origins of Asian-Pacific Heritage Month began in 1976, when Jeanie Jew, president of the Organization of Chinese American Women, was concerned that Asian Pacific Americans were not being included in the United States bicentennial celebration. Ms. Jew realized that Asian Pacific Americans were "excluded from those stories during celebrations of the country's bicentennial. We were literally ignored, even though we were part of building this country." 
 
A year later, Jew enlisted the support of Rep. Frank Horton of New York who, along with Rep. Norman Mineta of California, introduced House Resolution 540. This resolution proclaimed the first ten days of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga introduced similar legislation into the Senate. 
 
On Oct. 2, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed the Joint Resolution and the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Week was celebrated in May of 1979.  President George Bush signed the law that permanently designated May of each year as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month expanding the week to a month long recognition.  Public Law 102-450 officially enacted Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on October 28th, 1992. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously supported the law. APA Heritage Month is observed throughout the country through such events as lectures, cultural performances, traditional foods, community festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities for students, etc.  Across the nation, local Asian Pacific American organizations host their own events to celebrate the month. The celebration begins with the individual and it is up to you how you’d like to honor and celebrate this month- whether it is trying out a new Asian restaurant or figuring out how many Asian American actors/actresses have made an impact this year. Learn something new and interesting this month about how Asian- Pacific Americans have built and sculpted the past and present.
 
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Comments

cheese_sticks's picture

This puts the whole month to light. Thanks for helping me understand why we have this.

By cheese_sticks on May 3, 2009 - 1:02am

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