Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage (History) Month
Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Celebrates MAY 2025 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage (History) Month
Intro
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and all are encouraged to spotlight, recognize, and celebrate the integral contributions and influence of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. The month of May was chosen because it commemorates the migration of the first immigrants from Japan to the United States on May 7, 1843 and to celebrate the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad, largely completed by labor of Asian immigrants on May 10, 1869. President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution for the celebration on Oct. 5, 1978 and in 1990, George H.W. Bush signed a bill, passed by Congress to extend Asian American Heritage Week to a month. On May 14, 1991, a public law was passed unanimously by congress and then signed by President Bush, proclaiming May 1991 and May 1992 as Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month. By 1992, May was officially designated as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) announced the theme for the May 2025 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month to be, “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience.” Throughout history, AANHPIs have transformed adversity into opportunities for public service, efficiency, and innovation; resulting in lasting change that resonates beyond the community and has positively impacted the world. This resilience is woven into the fabric of their success, and it is a testament to the unwavering spirit of their ancestors who faced their own struggles with dignity and strength. A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience embraces both a tribute and a call to action to honor the achievements of those who paved the way while igniting the passions of those who will follow. Through this theme, AANHPI strive to continue breaking barriers, honor traditions, and inspire the next generation of AANHPI leaders.
For resources, events, and programming to celebrating Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, visit:
Asian American and Pacific Islander Pioneers in Medicine:
- Katherine Luzuriaga, MD, for her breakthrough in “functionally curing” newborns of AIDS
- Derald Sue, PhD, and Stanley Sue, PhD, for their contributions to ethnic minority psychology
- Marjorie Mau, MD, for being the first Native Hawaiian to earn the title of “master” physician by the American College of Physicians
- David Ho, MD, for pioneering treatment of HIV/AIDS
- Margaret Chung, MD, for becoming the first American-born Chinese female physician
- Haing Ngor, MD, for his role in helping refugees and advocating for justice in Cambodia
- Abraham Verghese, MD, for advocating for the importance of empathy in physician-patient relationships
- Chi-Cheng Huang, MD, for his volunteer work with Bolivian children living on the streets