ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH
RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR AMERICAN SPACES
This Resource Toolkit is designed for programming at American Spaces to create a greater awareness of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and the cultural diversity they bring to the United States.
RESOURCES
Official AAPI Heritage Month Site
A compilation of U.S. Government resources, including historical collections, art exhibitions, and educational resources from the Smithsonian Institution, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Archives, Library of Congress, National Park Service, and more.
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
This site provides articles for teachers on how to address anti-Asian racism with students. It also has a video series that breaks down common stereotypes, inspiring stories from the AAPI community, and online exhibitions.
WHAT IS ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH?
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is recognized during the month of May to celebrate the significant contributions and influences Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans have had on the history and culture of the United States.
The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. Most of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.
The resources in this toolkit highlight the generations of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans who have made and continue to make a significant impact on America’s history.
MORE RESOURCES
- ShareAmerica Articles
These short articles highlight notable AAPI contributions to American culture. - Images from State Department Flickr Site American Spaces can use and shared these images.
- American English Article Designed for intermediate English language learners about Asian Pacific American history.
- Pew Research Center
This site contains general statistics on Asian Americans. They also published this article “The Rise of Asian Americans,” which provides social and demographic trends of Asian Americans over time.
When Joe Biden won the Presidency in 2020, his vice presidential running mate Kamala Harris made history. By winning the 2020 election, she became both the first woman and the first person of color to be elected vice president of the United States.
She is the daughter of two immigrant academics: an Indian- American mother and a father from Jamaica.
FILMS IN KANOPY
American Spaces can screen Kanopy films at their Space if the films have public performance rights. Visit our screening permission guidelines for more details.
Home from the Eastern Sea: The Story of Asian Immigration to America (58 minutes) – The video documents the history of Chinese, Japanese, and Filipino families arriving in the United States.
The Grace Lee Project – Deconstructing an Asian American Stereotype (67 minutes) – Produced by award-winning Korean director Grace Lee, this film explores the cultural implications of Asian-American Identity.
The views expressed in these links and resources do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. government.
Updated February 2025
