Overview
Asian Pacific Islanders (APIs) have lived in the United States for well over a century and have contributed significantly to its economy, culture, and history.
APAHM at Boston College reminds us that the API history is a large piece of American history.聽
A Brief History
The idea of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) was introduced to the House of Representatives in June 1977 by Frank Horton of NY and Norman Mineta of CA. The resolution called for the president to establish the first ten days of May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week.
A month later, it was introduced in a similar bill to the senate by Daniel Inouye and Spark Matsunaga. In 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a resolution designating that time period as an annual celebration. In 1990, President George Bush designated the whole month of May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. May was chosen in order to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843.
The APAHM Committee Initiative
Prior to 2003, Boston College Asian student culture clubs have hosted various events to commemorate Asian Americans. The students have not, however, collectively