Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month is observed annually in May to celebrate the contributions that generations of AANHPI’s have made to American history, society and culture.

In 1992, Congress established May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month to coincide with two key milestones: the arrival of the nation’s first Japanese immigrants (May 7, 1843) and Chinese workers’ pivotal role in building the transcontinental railroad (completed May 10, 1869). The move expanded what had been Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week since 1978. In 2021, a presidential proclamation expanded this to include Native Hawaiians.

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) is the term is used to describe a diverse and fast-growing population of 23 million Americans that includes over 50 ethnic groups, over 100 languages with roots in more than 40 countries.

Generations of Asian American and Pacific Islanders have helped develop and defend the United States, often in the face of tremendous racial and cultural prejudice. There is a Department of Defense slide presentation that provides snapshots that briefly cover the integral role played by the many AAPI’s who helped shape and defend this nation.

Asian Americans have been actively part of forming popular culture in the United States. Authentic and innovative portraits of the Asian American experience are breaking into mainstream media, including movies such as Everything Everywhere All at Once and Crazy Rich Asians.

“They have adapted and reworked the traditions of their parents and grandparents into contemporary American culture, and have often served as cultural agents of influence, introducing American to everything from ramen, sriracha and boba tea to manga and Bollywood,” says Film and Media Studies Director and professor Tasha Oren.

By many accounts the United States of America is a young country whose culture is still being shaped and molded. In May we celebrate the many contributions to our society and culture from people who identify as American Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander.