Following bills passed in both the House and Senate in 1978, President Jimmy Carter officially made the first week of May Asian/ Pacific Heritage Week. The holiday was later expanded to include the entire month of May in 1990. May is a particularly significant month for celebrating Asian Pacific American heritage because the first Japanese immigrated to the United States on May 7, 1843. In addition, May marks the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad (May 10, 1869), and a majority of the workers who laid the railroad's tracks were Chinese immigrants.

In honor of this year's celebration, explore China's artistic diaspora, the hula tradition and the work of Chinese immigrants on the frontier. Discover music of the Mekong River, and learn about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrations at the Smithsonian and around the country.

Vietnamese Amerasians celebrating their heritage

Children of the Vietnam War

Born overseas to Vietnamese mothers and U.S. servicemen, Amerasians brought hard-won resilience to their lives in America
By David Lamb

Dragon Boat Festival

The Legends Behind the Dragon Boat Festival

Celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the Chinese calendar, Duanwu Jie honors storied history with culinary treats
By Jeninne Lee-St. John

Princess Kaiulani

Ka’iulani: Hawaii’s Island Rose

In a brief life filled with loss, Princess Ka’iulani established her legacy
By Janet Hulstrand

Jung served on a leaf

Jung and Zongzi Recipe

Learn how to cook this traditional Chinese delicacy in a family recipe passed down from older generations
By Jeninne Lee-St. John

DC premier of Mediations

Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dances the Asian American Experience

Internationally recognized choreographer Dana Tai Soon Burgess sits down with Smithsonian's Joseph Caputo to discuss his performance at the American Art Museum.
By Joseph Caputo

Wong

Liquid Gold

By using gold and other precious metals, MIT graduate Michael Wong hopes to clean up our water supply.
By William Booth

tao

Primed for Success

Terence Tao is regarded as first among equals among young mathematicians, but who's counting
By Dana Mackenzie

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