Celebrating history and culture
Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month is celebrated in May to commemorate the contributions of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States. These celebrations were first started by API student activists at many colleges and universities.
In 1978, Congress passed a joint Congressional Resolution to commemorate Asian American Heritage Week during the first week in May to celebrate two imporant anniversaries in Asian American history; the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to American on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad, which numerous Chinese immigrant laborers endured long hours and harsh conditions to build.
In 1990, Congress voted to extend celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Americans' contributions to the nation from a week to a month. And in 1992, the month of May was permanently designated as Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month.
Washington has been celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month for years with some of the area's diverse and vibrant Asian Pacific Islander community sponored by the Asian Pacific Director's Coalition.
Asian Pacific Director’s Coalition is a local association made of more than 30 APIs who are executive directors or directors of various non-profit or government organizations. The coalition has been in existence since 1981 and they are one of the many sponsors of this event.