Kintock joins other organizations nationwide in recognizing Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May. This month, we honor the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and celebrate those who will continue to contribute to the country’s rich heritage.

Like most commemorative months, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month originated with Congress. In 1977 congress proclaimed the first ten days in May as Pacific Asian American Heritage Week. During the next decade, presidents passed annual proclamations for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week until 1990 when Congress passed Public Law 101-283 which expanded the observance to a month for 1990. Then in 1992, Congress passed Public Law 102-450 which annually designated May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

For a listing of exhibits, special events and additional information, visit https://asianpacificheritage.gov