Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
May was formally declared as Asian Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in 1992 to honor the hardships and contributions of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities in our history. It is honored in May to celebrate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States in May 1843. It also celebrates the completion of the transcontinental railroad in May 1869, made possible by the labor of thousands of Chinese immigrants whose story is often untold. Please join us in celebrating with the Asian/Pacific American communities in our neighborhoods and cities.
According to the Pew Research Center, a record 23 million Asian Americans trace their roots to more than 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia, as well as the Indian subcontinent.
Here’s how to connect and learn about the cultures of the Asian/Pacific American communities during the month of May and throughout the year:
- Learn more about AAPI Heritage Month at AsianPacificHeritage.gov.
- Attend the Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the Seattle Center. A part of the Seattle Center Festál series and produced in partnership with the Asian Pacific Directors Coalition (APDC). May 6, 2023, 11am-5pm in the Armory Food & Events Hall.
- Visit the Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) in Tacoma and check out the many events they offer all year round.
- Visit a virtual museum on AAPI heritage, like the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) in Manhattan’s Chinatown, or the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.
- Enjoy take-out or a dinner at a local Asian or Pacific Islander restaurant.
- Check out the Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Center to learn about AAPI culture and art.
- Take an in-person or virtual cooking class on Asian cuisine.
- Learn about Asian American actors, activists, and other performers in Asian American Storytellers.
- Learn the citizenship stories of Asian Americans at the Smithsonian’s Asian Pacific American Center.