ASIAN-AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE

Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is celebrated in May in recognition of the contributions made by people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the United States.

The Army joins the nation in honoring Americans of Asian and Pacific Islander descent for their military and civilian service within the department. These individuals have proudly served in America's Army from the Civil War to current operations all around the world.

The "Asian-American and Pacific Islander" designation encompasses more than 50 ethnic or language groups, including native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. There are now more recognized Asian and Pacific Islander groups than in the past, with 28 Asian and 19 Pacific Islander subgroups representing a vast array of languages and cultures.

The observance began when Congress passed a joint congressional resolution in 1978 to commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Week during the first week of May. This date was chosen because two important anniversaries occurred during this time:
•The arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in America in 1843.
•The completion of the transcontinental railroad.