May is AAPI Month
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which celebrates the histories of Americans hailing from across the Asian continent and from the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.
The legislation to annually designate May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month referenced two key dates: May 7 and May 10. May 7, 1843, marks the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States. And May 10, 1869, or Golden Spike Day, recognizes the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the U.S., which had significant contributions from Chinese workers. The railroad was fundamental to the development of the American West, according to History.com. It cut travel time across the U.S. from months to less than a week.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate Asian culture and diversity and also speak out against Asian discrimination or harrassment. There are events taking place in central Iowa to celebrate as well as online features. Please check out the resources below for more information.
- https://asianpacificheritage.gov/
- CelebrAsian (Des Moines) - May 27 and 28th at Gateway Western Park (https://www.iowaasianalliance.com/)
- AAPI Heritage Month Celebration - May 7, 4:30-7:30pm at ISU Memorial Union Sunroom