Innovators & Inventors
In the 1970s, Chinese-American virologist Flossie Wong-Staal played a major role in discovering the cause of AIDs when she successfully cloned, for the first time, this three-letter virus.
What is HIV?
What is San Francisco?
Pat Morita
Honshu
CD Players
What is Japan?
You can't celebrate one of these Hawaiian parties without donning a lei, grabbing some roast pork, and dancing a bit of hula.
What is a Luau?
In 2016, she became the first Indian-American Senator; four years later, she became the first Asian-American (and first African-American) Vice President.
Who is Kamala Harris?
Tawainese-American scientist Peter Tsai invented this type of protective respirator, which was used by medical providers and civilians alike during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
What is the N95 Mask?
In this style of Chinese eatery, diners order raw meats and veggies, which they then dip into a simmering pot of broth.
What is Hot Pot?
Grace Meng
Taipei
Bubble Tea
What is Taiwan?
In 2023, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a bill establishing this Hindu festival of lights as an official holiday in New York State.
What is Diwali?
This woman -- the first Asian-American judge ever elected in New York State -- started her career in Manhattan, but spent most of her time on the bench in Queens.
Who is Dorothy Chin Brandt?
A few years after designing the glass pyramid in front of the Louve, Chinese-American Architect I.M. Pei drew up a similar structure for the entrance to this museum on the shore of Lake Erie.
What is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Gee, who knew that clarified butter was so common in South Asian cuisine? Of course, in Hindi, it's actually called this.
What is Ghee?
Mindy Kaling
Dhaka
Muslin
What is Bangladesh?
The Lunar New Year is celebrated in myriad Asian cultures -- in Vietnam, it goes by this one-syllable name.
What is Tet?
The first Asian-American to win a Grammy Award was actually born in Paris; he moved to New York City as a child, and studied cello at Julliard.
Who is Yo-Yo Ma?
Burmese-American biologist Barry Paw conducted many experiments on zebrafish -- in 2012, one such endeavor uncovered the cell mutations behind this blood disorder.
What is Anemia?
This Japanese word -- which literally means "I leave it up to you" -- describes a dining experience where a customer lets the chef decide what to serve, instead of ordering specific sushi rolls.
What is Omakase?
Nora Lum
Gagnam
The Printing Press
What is South Korea?
While this type of clothing is commonly associated with weddings and other formal events, its literal translation is simply "Korean dress."
What is Hanbok?
In 2020, this Atlanta Falcon became the first Asian-American to lead the NFL in scoring, and the first Asian-American named to the Pro Bowl.
Who is Younghoe Koo?
Indian-American engineer Ajay Bhatt developed many important technologies, but is best known for this standardized computer port, first introduced in 1996.
What is the Universal Serial Bus (USB)?
This "crazy" Hawaiian dish consists of white rice topped with a hamburger patty, brown gravy, and a fried egg.
What is Loco Moco?
Bruno Mars
San Juan
Ube
What is The Philippines?
Happy AAPI Heritage Month! What started as a week-long celebration in 1978 expanded to a month-long observance starting in this year.
What is 1990?
After serving in World War II, he became one of the first two men to represent Hawaii in the U.S. Senate -- also making him the first Asian-American in that body.
Who is Hiram Fong?