Why is Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Month in May?

In 1977, the U.S. Congress chose the first 10 days of May to commemorate the history and contributions of Asian American communities here in the U.S. The week’s observance became a month, the very month in which the first Japanese immigrants came to the U.S. in 1843. Another event in May is the completion of the transcontinental railroad (May 10, 1869) and the majority of workers who laid those railroad tracks were Chinese immigrants.

The U.S. Asian population is diverse. A record 22 million Asian Americans trace their roots to more than 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, each with unique histories, cultures, languages, and other characteristics.

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