The rich heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders stretches back thousands of years. Significant moments in their past have both greatly affected the lives of these peoples as well as shaped the United States. Every May, during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and throughout the year, national organizations and local partners share stories of this history and the continuing culture thriving in communities today. The theme for 2023 continues last year’s theme, "Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity."

How did Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month come to be? "A joint resolution authorizing the President to proclaim annually a week during the first 10 days in May as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week" was passed through both the House and the Senate and ultimately signed by President Jimmy Carter on October 5, 1978 to become Public Law 95-419. In 1990, George H. W. Bush signed a bill passed by Congress to extend Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week to a month. May was officially designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month two years later and was renamed to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) in 2009.

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