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Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) is pleased to announce the May 2026 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month theme, “Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together.”

This year’s theme highlights the importance of leveraging our collective power, telling our stories, and being bridge builders in our communities. The imagery of the bridge in this year’s artwork inspires us to unite in our common causes. Bridges represent many values that are prevalent in AANHPI communities - innovation, resilience, hard work, connection, and a sense of belonging. FAPAC invites you to join us this May to honor the AANHPI leaders who inspire us to work collaboratively and embolden the next generation to build on their legacies. 

We remember AANHPI pioneers like the late Secretary Norman Y. Mineta, for whom FAPAC’s Distinguished Public Service Scholarship Award is named. Born and raised in San Jose, California, Secretary Mineta’s family was among 120,000 Japanese Americans who were forcibly held in internment camps during World War II. He began his public service career as an intelligence officer and translator with the U.S. Army in Japan. In 1971, Secretary Mineta was elected the first Japanese American mayor of his hometown, San Jose. He later served over two decades in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1975-1997. A bridge builder in every sense, Secretary Mineta served under both Democratic and Republican Administrations, appointed as Secretary of Commerce by President Bill Clinton from 2000-2001 and Secretary of Transportation by President George W. Bush from 2001-2006. Secretary Mineta’s reflections about his family’s experience in the internment camps during World War II are a call to action for us today: “If we will act together, then we are strong enough to withstand any evil, internal or external, that threatens to unravel this beautiful tapestry that is America.”

All are invited to the annual FAPAC Awards Gala on May 30, 2026 in the Washington, DC area to celebrate AANHPI heritage and recognize the winner of the Secretary Norman Y. Mineta Distinguished Public Service Scholarship Award. Additional details and registration are forthcoming. 

In 2026, we will also celebrate an incredible milestone with America's 250th anniversary. FAPAC encourages local and national efforts to celebrate American independence, recognize the contributions of AANHPIs woven throughout American history, and create opportunities for volunteerism and public service as a commitment to give back to our communities.

Take part in this year’s celebrations by:

  • Finding resources on FAPAC's AANHPI Resource Center and the America 250 websites
  • Engaging in AANHPI programs, events, and initiatives in your community
  • Supporting efforts that promote connection, service, and shared learning

We look forward to celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month and America’s 250th birthday with you. Your participation strengthens the collective impact of our work.

AANHPI Heritage Month History

  • June 30, 1977: The origin of AAPI Heritage Month dates back to the 95th Congress (1977-1978) when five joint resolutions were introduced proposing that a week in May be designated to commemorate the accomplishments of AAPIs. The House of Representatives introduced three joint resolutions (H.J.Res.540, H.J.Res.661, H.J.Res.753) to designate the first 10 days in May as "Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week" while Senator Daniel Inouye also introduced S.J.Res.72 in the Senate to designate the beginning of May as "Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week."  A 4th joint resolution (H.J.Res.1007) was introduced in the House by Rep. Frank J. Horton and proposed designating 7 days in May beginning on May 4th as Asian/Pacific American Week. This joint resolution was passed by Congress and became Pub.L.95-419. This law directed the President to issue a proclamation designating the week beginning on May 4, 1979 as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week."
  • March 28, 1979: President Carter issued Proclamation 4650, the first presidential proclamation, for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. In this proclamation, President Carter spoke of the significant role Asian/Pacific Americans have played in the creation of a dynamic and pluralistic American society with their contributions to the sciences, arts, industry, government and commerce. Over the next ten years, Presidents Carter, Reagan and George H.W. Bush continued to annually issue proclamations designating a week in May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.
  • May 7, 1990: President George H.W. Bush issued Presidential Proclamation 6130 designating May 1990 as the first “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.”
  • May 9, 1990: Congress passed Pub.L.101-283 which amended Pub.L.95-419. Pub.L.101-283 requested the President to issue a proclamation which expanded the observance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week to a month in May 1990. This law called on the people of the United States to observe Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month with “appropriate ceremonies, programs and activities.” 
  • May 14, 1991: Pub.L.102-42 was passed unanimously by Congress and signed by President George H.W. Bush.  This law requested that the President proclaim May 1991 and May 1992 as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Months.”  This law also recognized the significance of May 7th and May 10th in the history of Asian/Pacific Americans.  May 7, 1843 is the date on which the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States while on May 10, 1869 the first transcontinental railroad in the United States was completed with significant contributions from Chinese pioneers.  
  • October 23, 1992: Congress passed Pub.L.102-450 which permanently designated May of each year as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.” Pursuant to Pub. L. 102-450 Presidents Clinton, George W. Bush, Obama, Trump, and Biden have issued annual proclamations designating May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Educational Resources

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 Want to share your event? Email us at pr@fapac.org.

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