Did you know that May is Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month? Here in Los Angeles, the month was celebrated with an opening ceremony at City Hall on May 9, complete with a proclamation from President Obama.
In 1978, Congress passed a joint Congressional Resolution to commemorate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week during the first week of May. This date was chosen because two important anniversaries occurred during this time: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to America on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. In May 1992, the entire month of May was permanently designated as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.”
During this time, communities celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian and Pacific Americans with community festivals, government-sponsored activities and educational activities for students.
Mayor Garcetti and City Councilmembers were greeted by a performance by the Manea Performers before several local Asian Pacific American leaders, including several World War II veterans, were honored. The South Lawn, lined with food trucks offering the diverse cuisine of Asian Pacific countries, filled with people sampling the food, music, and culture, with our very own Grayce Liu, GM of EmpowerLA, as MC at the event.
An excerpt from the Proclamation from President Obama: “Generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific islanders have helped make this country what it is today. Yet they have also faced.a long history of injustice–from the overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii…to the opportunity-limiting laws like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the Immigration Act of 1924; to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II…With courage, grit, and an abiding belief in American ideals, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific islanders have challenged our Nation to be better.”