AAPI Heritage Month originated with Congress in 1977, and the month of May was chosen to honor the immigration of the first Japanese to the U.S. in May of 1843 and to mark the completion of the transcontinental railroad - the majority of those who worked on the railroad were Chinese.
Read more about the history of AAPI.
Visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health (HHS OMH) website for resources to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month including: