Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, (AANHPI) is celebrated throughout the month of May. It originated in 1978 when Congress passed a joint resolution that became Pub. L. 95-419. This law directed the President to issue a proclamation designating the week beginning on May 4, 1979 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. Pub. L. 95-419 was amended in 1990 by Pub. L. 101-283 which expanded the observance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage week to the month of May in 1990. Finally, in 1992, Congress passed Pub. L. 102-450 which permanently designated May of each year as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.”
This informative CRS Report Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month Speech Resources: Fact Sheet provides excellent summary of both Public Laws and Proclamations pertaining to Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. Although May is the designated month to commemorate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, it is not meant to be the only time of year. Find resources to learn, teach, experience, and reflect on AANHPI history and heritage beyond May.
