May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and is a time to celebrate and pay tribute to the contributions of generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders who have enriched and contributed to American history, society, and culture. Like most commemorative months, Asian Pacific Heritage Month originated in a congressional bill, creating a week-long celebration. Twelve years later, President George H.W. Bush signed an extension making the week-long celebration into a month-long celebration (Presidential Proclamation 6130). In 1992, the official designation of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month was signed into law (Pub.L.102-42).
As we take time to honor these Americans, we should also stop and recognize the current challenges that Asian and Pacific Americans are facing. the violence and hatred that has been directed at Asian Pacific Americans in recent days and months. The rash of attacks, hate speech, and discriminatory actions happening across the country, based on false narratives about the origins of COVID-19, are an affront to our community’s values and the civil rights that every Asian Pacific American holds. The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) community fervently condemns these actions and stands in solidarity with our Asian Pacific American relatives, neighbors, friends, and colleagues. We grieve for the lives lost and forever impacted by this senseless violence.
This Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month we honor those who have pioneered the way. While we recognize the Asian American groundbreakers and game changers, we also recognize those who support diversity and inclusion supporting all cultures, including AAPIs. This AAPI Heritage Month is different than many others as we experience a world wide pandemic affecting the AAPI community in unfortunate ways. Let's continue working towards progress in uniting our nation. Happy Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Teachable Moments are short films that provide a quick overview of important topics and events from the Roosevelt Era. Created by the FDR Library's Education staff with the support of the Pare Lorenz Center, they are designed to assist primary and secondary school students.
In the past fifty years, Asian Americans have helped change the face of America and are now the fastest growing group in the United States. But as award-winning historian Erika Lee reminds us, Asian Americans also have deep roots in the country. The Making of Asian America tells the little-known history of Asian Americans and their role in American life, from the arrival of the first Asians in the Americas to the present-day. A book signing will follow the program.
Although the search for a Chinese Exclusion Act case file may be difficult and challenging, the rewards can be great as these files may contain a treasure trove of information for the family and social historian. Presented by the National Archives at Seattle Director Susan Karren in recognition of the Chinese Exclusion Act’s 135th anniversary.
We need to talk about the rise of anti-Asian hate and attacks. Join Eugene for an in-depth conversation about the complex, often untold story of the Asian American community, the unique struggles they face, and find out how you can help #StopAsianHate.
"I had to teach myself about myself"
The first Filipinos in America landed in Morro Bay, California.
Filipino sailors travel across the Gulf into Louisiana’s bayou country and settle there. These “Louisiana Manila men”are the oldest continuous Asian American settler community in North America.
Central Pacific Railroad Company hires first of 12,000 Chinese workers.
First Transcontinental Railroad.
First Japanese settlers arrive on U.S. mainland, in California.
Naturalization Act of 1870 restricts naturalized citizenship to Whites and Blacks.
California Circuit Court rules that “Mongolians” are not eligible for naturalization.
California’s Second Constitution prohibits the employment of Chinese.
Chinese Exclusion Act suspends immigration of Chinese laborers for 10 years.
First recorded Korean immigrants.
In Yick Wo v. Hopkins, Supreme Court rules that law with unequal impact on different groups is discriminatory.
Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom: a minority of subjects of the Hawaiian Kingdom and foreign nationals, which included citizens of the United States, met in a mass meeting to organize a takeover of the political rights of the native population in the Kingdom.
United States invasion and overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani and the Hawaiian Kingdom.
United States occupies Guam after the Spanish-American War and the Treaty of Paris of 1898.
United States annexed eastern Samoa, and Germany annexed the western part of the islands.
In United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind, Supreme Court rules that Asian Indians cannot be naturalized.
Immigration Act of 1924 effectively prohibits immigration of all Asians.
Executive Order 9066 results in 120,000 Japanese Americans being sent to internment camps.
Congress repeals Chinese Exclusion Act and grants naturalization rights.
Luce-Celler Act permits Filipinos and Indians to immigrate and grants them naturalization rights.
Wing Ong is first Asian American elected to state office (Arizona).
U.S. grants 5,000 educated Chinese refugee status after Communist takeover of China.
Guam Organic Act of 1950 established Guam as an unincorporated organized territory of the United States
Dalip Singh Saund of California becomes first Indian American in Congress.
Hiram Fong of Hawaii becomes first Chinese American in Senate.
Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii becomes first Japanese American in Congress.
Patsy Takemoto Mink of Hawaii becomes first nonwhite woman in Congress.
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 eliminates national-origins quota system.
Vietnam war ends, leading to large migration of Southeast Asians.
First Asian/Pacific American heritage Week is celebrated.
Ellison Onizuka becomes first Asian American astronaut in space.
Gerald Tsai of American Can becomes first Asian American CEO of Fortune 500 company.
Civil Liberties Act of 1988 pays surviving Japanese American internees $20,000 each.
Amerasian Homecoming Act allows children born to Vietnamese mothers and U.S. servicemen to immigrate.
Jay Kim of California becomes first Korean American in Congress.
Gary Locke of Washington becomes first Asian American governor of mainland state.
Andrea Jung of Avon becomes first nonwhite woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company.
Secretary of Commerce Norman Mineta becomes first Asian American Cabinet member.
Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao becomes first woman Asian American Cabinet member.
Dr. Wen Ho Lee, a U.S. citizen, is charged with spying for China; a federal judge later apologizes to Lee for being “led astray” by the Department of Justice.
Bobby Jindal of Louisiana becomes first Indian American governor.
President Barack Obama appoints three Asian Americans to Cabinet.
Apolo Anton Ohno becomes most decorated American Winter Olympian, with eight medals.
Nikki Haley of South Carolina becomes first woman Indian American governor.
Kevin Tsujihara of Warner Bros. becomes first nonwhite CEO of a major Hollywood studio.
First Asian American U.S. Marine Officer, Maj. Kurt Chew-Een Lee, dies at the age of 88.
