Historical Events
This war had a significant impact on the AAPI community, particularly the Vietnamese American population, leading to the arrival of hundreds of thousands of refugees to the United States after the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Vietnam War (1955-1975)
This Chinese-American figure skater who became a national champion and Olympic medalist, inspiring young AAPI athletes. [P]
Michelle Kwan
This holiday is celebrated by many AAPI communities, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and others, marking the start of the lunar calendar year. [P]
Lunar New Year - First Day
In what year did the first Japanese immigrants arrive in the United States, marking a significant moment in Asian American immigration history.
May 7, 1843
This combat team was composed primarily of Japanese-American soldiers during WWII, became one of the most decorated units in American military history.
The 442nd Regimental Combat Team
President Jimmy Carter signed a law designating a week in May to recognize the achievements and contributions of AAPI individuals. [P]
Asian Pacific American Heritage Week Established
This Chinese-American architect and artist known for designing the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. [P]
Maya Lin
This major Hindu festival celebrated by Indian and Nepali communities, symbolizing the victory of light over darkness.
Diwali [October & November]
Chinese immigrants played a crucial role in building this landmark U.S. infrastructure project, completed on May 10, 1869.
Transcontinental Railroad
This figure was the first woman, Black, and Asian American Vice President of the United States.
Kamala Harris
In which city is the oldest and one of the most prominent Chinatowns in the United States, representing the cultural and historical presence of Chinese immigrants?
San Francisco's Chinatown was established in 1848, making it not only the oldest Chinatown in the United States but also one of the most significant cultural hubs for Chinese Americans.
This martial artist and actor who revolutionized martial arts in the U.S. and became a cultural icon, challenging stereotypes of Asians in Hollywood. [P]
Bruce Lee
Celebrated by Buddhist communities to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.
Vesak (Buddha's Birthday) - April or May
Immigration Act of 1965
This influential figure in the Chinese-American community, advocated for civil rights and improving social services.
Harold Lee
This major battle during World War II, in which Filipino and American forces liberated the Philippines from Japanese occupation, marked a significant day for Filipino-Americans. [P]
The Battle of Manila
This Oscar-winning director, known for films like 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' brought global attention to AAPI filmmakers. [P]
Ang Lee
This Vietnamese celebration of the Lunar New Year, similar to Chinese New Year but with its own unique customs.
Tết Nguyên Đán or just Tết is the most significant celebration in Vietnam. It marks the start of the lunar calendar year, usually occurring between late January and early February, similar to the Chinese Lunar New Year. Tết is a time for family reunions, honoring ancestors, and celebrating new beginnings.
This violent event saw hundreds of white workers attack Indian immigrants in Bellingham, Washington, leading to the forced departure of Sikh lumber workers and marking the first known large-scale anti-South Asian violence in the U.S. It played a role in the passing of the 1917 Immigration Act, which banned Asian labor migrants.
The Bellingham Riots
This person resisted internment during World War II and later became a symbol of the fight for civil rights for AAPI communities. [P]
Fred Korematsu
Mass mobilization of AAPI communities, particularly Japanese-Americans and Filipino-Americans, advocating for civil rights and recognition.
AAPI Civil Rights Marches
This Hong Kong singer and actress, known as the 'Madonna of Asia,' for her influential role in music and culture in the AAPI community. [P]
Anita Mui
This major harvest festival celebrated in Korea, where families come together to honor their ancestors and share food.
Chuseok [Mon, Oct 6, 2025]
This 1965 strike, led by Filipino labor leader Larry Itliong, united Filipino and Mexican American farmworkers to fight for better conditions. It became a pivotal moment in the farm labor movement, leading to the creation of the United Farm Workers (UFW) and the eventual success of the five-year strike against grape growers, resulting in new contracts in 1970.
Delano Grape Strike
The first Asian-American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, making history for AAPI women in politics.
Mazie Hirono
This law, which prohibited Chinese immigration, was repealed in 1943, allowing more Chinese immigrants to enter the U.S.
On May 10, we celebrate The Chinese Exclusion Act - Repealed!
Location: USA
Historical Meaning: The Chinese Exclusion Act, a law that prohibited Chinese immigration, was repealed in 1943, allowing more Chinese immigrants to enter the U.S.
This Chinese-American architect famous for designing the Louvre Pyramid in Paris and other iconic buildings around the world. [P]
I.M. Pei (Birth)
This Buddhist tradition, usually celebrated in mid-August, honors the spirits of ancestors through various customs, including visiting graves and dancing.
Obon (お盆) is a traditional Japanese Buddhist event that honors the spirits of deceased ancestors. It is one of the most important cultural and religious holidays in Japan, celebrated primarily in mid-August, though some regions observe it in July, depending on the local calendar.
This 1898 Supreme Court decision upheld birthright citizenship, ruling that Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco to Chinese parents, was a U.S. citizen despite Chinese exclusion laws. The ruling affirmed that anyone born on U.S. soil, regardless of race, could be considered an American citizen, a crucial victory for Asian Americans during a time of racial discrimination in immigration and citizenship laws.
United States vs. Wong Kim Ark
The first Asian-American elected to the U.S. Senate, served Hawaii from 1959 to 1977, paving the way for future AAPI political leaders.
Hiram Fong