Skip to Main Content

Asian American Experience: Home

Asian American History and Heritage

Asian Americans: Definition

According to the US Census Bureau, the term "Asian American" includes people who indicate their race(s) as "Asian" or who have origins in east Asia like China, Filipino, Vietnam, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Cambodia, Malaysia, and other Far East/ Southeast Asia/ the Indian subcontinent. By 2024, there are estimated to be 24.7 million Asian Americans. This guide provides you with more information and key facts about this community.

 

May: Asian/ Pacific American Heritage Month

In 1587, Filipinos arrived in California, becoming the first Asians documented in the USA. The United States celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (Asian/ Pacific American Heritage Month) during the month of May to acknowledge and honor Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans' contributions to history, culture, and achievements in the United States.
 
More than 30 years after President George H.W. Bush signed a law that designated May 1990 as the first Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, This Idea was inspired by a woman named Jeanie Jew.

Ask-A-Librarian

Asian American Distribution

Asian American Language Distribution

Asian American Distribution