In the U.S., certain months are set aside to celebrate and honor different diversity groups. May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Asian Pacific Americans account for nearly 5% of the American population and the group is projected to be the fastest-growing major population category over the next half-century, outpacing blacks, whites and Hispanics.
Recent Census Bureau projections show the Asian population could more than triple to 33 million in 2050.
[Source: U.S. Census Bureau]
The countries of origin that constitute Asian Pacific America are Japan, China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, the Philippines, Samoa, Fiji, Guam, the U.S. Trust Territories of the Pacific or the Northern Marianas
To honor the achievements of Asian/Pacific Americans, the U.S. Congress designated the month of May as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month."
May was chosen as it has a dual commemoration of the date of the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7th 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental rail road on May 10th 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.
Originating as a congressional bill in the late seventies, it was extended from a week to a month long celebration in 1990.
Related Links
Translate this page
Office Holidays provides calendars with dates and information on public holidays and bank holidays in key countries around the world.
Newsletter
Sign up to receive a weekly email update on forthcoming public holidays around the world in your inbox every Friday.