Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) began as a 10 day celebration in 1977 to recognize the history and accomplishments of AAPI communities in the United States, and in 1992, the month-long celebration became law. AAPI encompasses a population of approximately 23 million Americans from approximately 50 ethnic groups with roots in more than 40 countries. These countries span from northern Mongolia to the most southern Polynesian Islands. In recent years, AAPI has been expanded to APIDA Asian Pacific Islander Desi American, which includes South Asian (Desi) Asian Americans (including countries like India, Pakistan & Bangladesh).
The month of May was chosen to honor AAPI Heritage in order to commemorate:
· May 7, 1843 is the date the first Japanese immigrant was granted US Citizenship
· May 10, 1869 is the anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad,
which was primarily built by Chinese immigrants
The first AAPI settlement in the US was recorded in 1765. Filipino seamen, who were slaves on Spanish vessels, abandoned ship and set-up communities in the bayous of Louisiana. They battled along with the US in the War of 1812. During the Gold Rush in the 1850’s, Asian immigrants served as miners, industrial workers, and as laborers for the Transcontinental Railroad in the west.
According to the 2020 US census, AAPI who identified as Asian American or Pacific Islander alone comprise approximately 6.2% of the US population or 1,709,886. Locally, according to the US Census in 2021, the AAPI population in Loveland constitutes more than 840 or 1.1% of the total population. The AAPI community is growing faster than any other racial population in the US. Having risen above cultural obstacles, language barriers, discrimination, and violence, systemic racism still exists against the AAPI community. Let’s reject hate based on race or ethnicity and honor the contributions and achievements of the AAPI community.