aapi heritage month

      AAPI month is the month where we appreciate all contributions that people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have made for America. This article will mention the history, importance, and overall message of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month is celebration that happens yearly. This celebration recognizes the historical events and contributions made by Asian and Pacific Islander descent. According to studies shown in 2020, people of these descent were estimated to be around 20 million people in the United States. This diverse group of people were 7% of U.S population. The annual celebration happens all throughout the month

of May. 

There were many efforts to get recognition to the Asian American and Pacific Islander group for their contributions. A former congressional staffer, Jeanie Jew approached Representative Frank Horton about the idea of a month to recognize Asian Pacific Americans in 1976. It took ten years from the 1970s to make this a permanent celebration. In New York 1977 the House Joint Resolution 540 claimed the first ten days of May were Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. After President Jimmy Carter signed a Public Law 95-419 for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week, in 1990 it was expanded by Congress to a month. This month was needed to show importance to the first Japanese immigrants to arrive in the United States in the 1840s.

Since 1990 the U.S government has designated May as Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This is an appreciation towards the community and their contributions that they made over the years to the U.S. People of this descent feel recognized and welcomed during this month of May. Los Angeles invites all people to attend events for free to honor the AAPI

community. In these events art, music, food, discussions, awards are all included. Los Angeles takes great pride in commemorating this community through celebration.