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, discover how a Smithsonian curator conserves Chinese paintings and read about the scars carried by children of the Vietnam War. Explore food from Asian cultures and learn about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrations at the Smithsonian and around the country.
Restoring Artwork to its Former Glory
With a steady hand, Xiangmei Gu wields paintbrushes and tweezers as the Smithsonian's only conservator of Chinese paintings
By Abby Callard
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
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
Ka’iulani: Hawaii’s Island Rose
In a brief life filled with loss, Princess Ka’iulani established her legacy
By Janet Hulstrand
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
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
Liquid Gold
By using gold and other precious metals, MIT graduate Michael Wong hopes to clean up our water supply.
By William Booth
Primed for Success
Terence Tao is regarded as first among equals among young mathematicians, but who's counting
By Dana Mackenzie
