Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month is dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the historical and cultural contributions of the AAPI community. There are over 24.5 million Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians living in the United States. AAPI individuals make up about 7% of the total U.S. population, and are the fastest growing racial group in the United States.
The choice to celebrate in May is marked by two significant events in AAPI history. May 7th, 1843 marked the first immigration of Japanese people to the United States, and on May 10th, 1869, the transcontinental railroad was completed, which could not have been done without the labor of Chinese workers.
William & Mary's Center for Student Diversity celebrates AAPI Heritage Month throughout the month of May, but provides programming throughout the month of April due to finals.
