Encompassing the diverse histories of people from the Asian continent, 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 heritage week in 1977 and moving to a month-long 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 2024 AANHPI Heritage Month theme is “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation.” Hosted by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, this theme is a continuation of the “Advancing Leaders” series that began in 2021 and pays homage to the visionaries and trailblazers who have shaped AANHPI history and contribute to America’s economic prosperity, technological advancements, and social/political change through their ingenuity and creativity while navigating significant cultural and systemic barriers.
This guide includes ways to honor AANHPI Heritage Month by leveraging resources, linking initiatives to business impact, and building one’s knowledge base on AANHPI history and the AANHPI community.
