Since 1979, May has been a dedicated time to celebrate Asian Pacific American heritage, but it wasn't until 1992 that May was officially designated AAPI Heritage Month. Selected to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the U.S. in May 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869 that was made possible by thousands of Chinese laborers. AAPI Heritage Month elevates the stories, contributions, and experiences of the Asian and Asian American communities.
If you’d like to learn more, the National Archives holds a wealth of material documenting the Asian & Pacific Islander experience that you can view.
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