Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration
February
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration - officially proclaimed "Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" by President Barack Obama in 2011, is a celebration of the culture, traditions, and history of Asians Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Congress passed a joint Congressional Resolution in 1978 to commemorate Asian American Heritage Week during the first week of May. This date was chosen because two important anniversaries occurred during this time: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in America on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad by many Chinese laborers on May 10, 1869. In 1990 Congress voted to expand it from a week to a month long celebration and in May 1992.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are one of the most diverse ethnic groups in the United States with more than 50 distinct ethnicities, languages, religions and cultures. At Grand Valley, the heritage celebration takes place in February and encompasses a variety of cultural events, professional speakers, Chinese New Year festival, arts and music.
2012 Asian Pacific American Islander Heritage Celebration
Previous Year's Events
2011 Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration
2010 Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration
2009 Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration
2008 Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration
2007 Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration
2006 Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration
2005 Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration
Page last modified April 6, 2012
