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).
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.
“…I’m going to the home of the man who imprisoned me, to remember my childhood imprisonment. Only in America could that happen.”
An excerpt from the program “Executive Order 9066: A Conversation with George Takei and Kermit Roosevelt” on February 19, 2017 at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
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.
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.
Director of the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center Konrad Ng discusses the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and the Smithsonian's Beyond Bollywood exhibit. Video courtesy of Voice of America.
In observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, this video features reflections and stories from Asian American students at IU. Videographer: Erik Romero.
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.
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.
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.
Overdrive book list Kanopy streaming list Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP) Connect! Guide Asian Women in Business Governor's Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs U.S. Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) Asian Pacific American Legal Resource Center Asian American Health Initiative Asian American LEAD (AALEAD) Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP) Chinese Culture and Community Center, Inc. (CCACC) Japanese American Citizens League PGCMLS Coronavirus: Updates, Information, and Assistance
