Asian-Pacific Heritage Month

This Year's Theme : Leadership, Diversity and Harmony—Gateway to Success



According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Asians and Pacific Islanders make up the fastest growing racial group in the United States, numbering more than 10 million people, or nearly 4 percent of the total population. The diverse Asian American and Pacific Islander American population includes members of more than 30 ethnic groups who speak more than 300 languages and dialects.

One of the reasons May was chosen for this celebration was to pay tribute to the first Japanese immigrants, who came to the United States in May 1843.

People across the country honor Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with community festivals, government gatherings, and educational activities for students.

About This Year's Theme
Leadership, Diversity and Harmony—Gateway to Success

The theme for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is selected annually by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization organized exclusively for educational purposes to promote equal opportunity and cultural diversity for Asian Pacific Americans within in the federal and D.C. governments.
This year’s theme, “Leadership, Diversity and Harmony—Gateway to Success,” honors the many contributions citizens of Asian and Pacific Island ancestry have made to America. Through their entrepreneurship and strong values of love and family, they have strengthened the economy and enriched communities across the nation.


http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/heritage_month/apahm/index.html