Celebrating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

Human Rights Committee

• May 1^st marks the first day of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States.  This tradition dates back to 1978 when Congress passed a resolution to commemorate the first Asian/Pacific American Heritage week the following year.
• Read more about Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, learn about the accomplishments of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, and find out about events that you can take part in using the resource links below.
• Join the celebration by wearing an Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month AFA Pin during the month of May.  If you need a pin, check with your Local Council for more information.

May 1st marks the first day of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States.  The celebration originated when Congress adopted a joint resolution in 1978 to honor the first ten days of May in 1979 as “Asian/Pacific American 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.

Learn More About Asian/Pacific American Heritage

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
• Alaska Air Group Pan-Asians (AGPA) & Pacific Islander Alliance (PIA) Business Resource Group Event Page (AAG sign-on required)

Celebrate with an Asian Pacific American Heritage Month AFA Pin

In 2021, 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, contact your Local Human Rights Committee.  Also be on the lookout for a communication from your Local Council or contact your LEC Officers to determine pin availability.