Honoring Asian American and Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Encompassing the diverse histories of people from the Asian continent and Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia, AANHPI Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and honor AANHPI contributions to the United States. Starting as a 10-day Asian-Pacific Heritage Week in 1977 and moving to a monthlong celebration in 1990, the month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese citizens to the United States on May 7, 1843. It was also chosen to honor the anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869. The 2026 AANHPI Heritage Month theme is “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together.” Hosted by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, this year’s theme highlights the importance of leveraging the AANHPI community’s collective power, telling AANHPI stories, and being bridge builders in AANHPI communities.