Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, celebrated annually in May, recognizes the culture, history, and contributions of AAPI communities in the U.S.. It honors the diverse legacies of people from the entire Asian continent and the Pacific Islands. May was chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Initially, this was a week-long observance signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. It was later extended to a full month in 1990 and made an annual, official proclamation by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. The AAPI umbrella term includes cultures from East, Southeast, and South Asia, as well as the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. It also commonly includes Native Hawaiians. It serves to honor the accomplishments, influence, and rich, varied histories of these communities in the United States.

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