by Karen Soo, Newsletter Editor
Each May, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month celebrates the culture and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islander Americans.
From parades to performances, AAPI Heritage Month is full of opportunities to learn more about the AAPI community.
In a speech on April 30, President Joe Biden reflected on the importance of AAPI Heritage Month.
“From Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders whose ancestors have called their lands home for hundreds of years, to Asian immigrants who have newly arrived and those whose families have been here for generations — AA and NHPI heritage has long been a part of the history of our great country and a defining force in the soul of our Nation,” he said.
“As artists and journalists, doctors and engineers, business and community leaders, and so much more, AA and NHPI peoples have shaped the very fabric of our Nation and opened up new possibilities for all of us.”
The month-long celebration is steeped in decades of history. Though the AAPI community has been honored in May since the 1970s, AAPI Heritage Month wasn’t recognized as an annual federal observance until 1992. Ahead of the May celebration, take a moment to learn more about AAPI Heritage Month, the holiday’s history, and how you can participate in the festivities.
