“Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week,” later expanded to “Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month,” has been celebrated in May in the U.S. since 1977. This year Native Hawaiians have been added to the groups recognized.
To learn more:
National Public Radio shares “The story behind Asian Pacific American Heritage, and why it’s celebrated in May.” You can learn more on the website of the Federal Asian Pacific American Council. The Library of Congress offers some resources here. The National Archives holds a wealth of material documenting the Asian and Pacific Islander experience, including digitized items.
Various publications and organizations have come out with reading lists for AAPI Heritage Month
- New York Public Library: Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Reading List
- New York Magazine: 22 Books to Read During AAPI Heritage Month, Recommended by AAPI Writers
- GoodReads.com: 111 New Books to Read for Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
The Boston Globe recommends some non-book resources for learning more about AAPI heritage.