This Research Guide is based on the incredible guide created by Ramona Miller-Ridlon at the Lawrence W. Tyree Library at Santa Fe College.
"Each May the United States celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month to commemorate the vital contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and native Hawaiians to the American story and to recognize some of the challenges they have faced along the way." (U.S. Army Europe and Africa)
Also check out: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Asian-American-Pacific-Islander-Heritage-Month/
June 30, 1977: The origin of AAPI Heritage Month dates back to the 95th Congress (1977-1978) when five joint resolutions were introduced proposing that a week in May be designated to commemorate the accomplishments of AAPIs.
March 28, 1979: President Carter issued Proclamation 4650, the first presidential proclamation, for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. In this proclamation, President Carter spoke of the significant role Asian/Pacific Americans have played in the creation of a dynamic and pluralistic American society with their contributions to the sciences, arts, industry, government and commerce. Over the next ten years, Presidents Carter, Reagan and George H.W. Bush continued to annually issue proclamations designating a week in May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.
May 7, 1990: President George H.W. Bush issued Presidential Proclamation 6130 designating May 1990 as the first “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.”
October 23, 1992: Congress passed Pub.L.102-450 which permanently designated May of each year as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.”
Source: fapac.org