Pierce Library invites you to join us in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
Observed annually in May, this is a time to recognize and celebrate the wide range of experiences within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities in the United States. Originally introduced as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week in 1977 and later expanded to a month-long celebration in 1990, the month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, as well as the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was largely laid by Chinese immigrants. Please visit the official AAPI Heritage Month Website to learn more.
There are a number of terms that are used to denote Asian and Pacific Islander populations, including Asian Pacific American (APA), Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI), and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA). These "umbrella" terms encompass an incredibly diverse constellation of identities and ethnicities, including people of East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Central Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander ancestry. Learn more about these terms.
Have any feedback you'd like to share about this book display? Fill out our Book Display Feedback Form.