May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

In June 1977, Representatives Norman Y Mineta (CA) and Frank Horton (NY) introduced a House Resolution that would eventually become Asian Pacific American (APA) Month. Senators Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga, both of Hawaii introduced the Senate bill one month later. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. Today, APA Heritage month is celebrated across the nation, including King County, to honor and celebrate the contributions the diverse communities that make up the Asian Pacific American community.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Events

International Examiner Newspaper’s 18th Annual Community Voice Awards Dinner
Wednesday, May 21 at Jumbo Restaurant
4208 Rainier South, Seattle
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Honoring artist Roger Shimomura, immigration rights activist Many Uch, former State Representative Velma Veloria and the Asian Pacific American Alliance (APALA).

International Community Health Services 35th Anniversary Gala
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Sheraton Seattle Hotel
1400 6th Avenue
Seattle, WA
6:00 p.m. Reception/7:15 p.m. Dinner and Program

The largest Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community health center in Washington State, ICHS has locations in South Seattle and the International District.

Filipino Community of Seattle – Building Inauguration and Celebration
Friday, May 30, 2008
Filipino Community Center in Seattle
5740 Martin Luther King Jr. Way South
All day fiesta begins at 10:00 a.m. with the ribbon cutting and blessing ceremony

In conjunction with the Filipino Community of Seattle’s 73rd anniversary, the community will be inaugurating the newly constructed two-story Filipino Community Center. Guided tours, entertainment, exhibits and a dinner-dance are all part of the celebration.


Wing Luke Asian Museum Community Grand Opening
May 31 – 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and June 1, 2008 – 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
719 South King Street in Seattle

To celebrate the grand opening of the museum’s new home at the historic East Kong Yick building in the International District, the WLAM is having a community celebration with ribbon cutting and cultural performances including the lion and dragon dances. Free and open to the public.