Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Date: May 3, 2022

The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States.

This celebration originated when Congress adopted a joint resolution in 1978 to honor the first ten days of May in 1979 as “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Week”. It was expanded to an entire month by Congress in 1990 and was finally designated to take place during the month of May in 1992.

The month of May was selected to recognize both the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States (May 7, 1843) and the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States (May 10, 1869), which was accomplished primarily through work done by Chinese immigrants.

You can learn more about the accomplishments of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans through some of the dedicated websites and resources below.

• National Archives – Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• National Endowment for the Humanities – Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and History in the United States
• National Park Service – Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage
• Smithsonian Institution – Asian Pacific American Center

Last year, Stan Kiino, AFA-CWA, APALA Board Member and Local San Francisco Chapter Member brought to our attention information about the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. His words of gratitude and hope continue to ring true today.

Also last year, the AFA Executive Board unanimously passed a resolution in recognition of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The resolution established a special commemorative pin for AFA Members to wear throughout the month of May.

For more information about the pin and its availability, please contact your Local Council.