The month of recognition began as a week in the 1970s and was officially extended in 1992 to include the entire month, which is apropos, considering Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been a part of the American story since the 1800s. May was designated AAPI Month to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants to arrive in the U.S. in 1843. May was also chosen as way to remember the Chinese immigrants who worked tirelessly to create the first transcontinental railroad in America in May of 1843 and ending in May of 1869.

AAPI Month celebrates the rich, diverse culture that spans from countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, Singapore, Samoa, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, to name a few.

This month we are honored to tell the stories of people on our campus whose identity stems from the 75 countries included in the AAPI designation.

We should put emphasis on AAPDI month to be inclusive of our South Asisan community and highlight our ministry and upcoming events.

Here is an excerpt from Loyola University
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month is a celebration of Asians, Southeast Asians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) encompasses people from all over the Asian continent, India, and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese immigrants 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.