May 2002

Every May, there are scores of events held by federal agencies, community groups, civic groups, students and others to celebrate Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month. In order to understand the significance of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, it is important to understand the evolution and convergence of many diverse groups that comprise the APA community.

Asian Pacific American is a political appellation that encompasses many ethnic groups with diverse backgrounds, histories, languages and cultures. The term Asian Pacific American attempts to give expression to cultural, linguistic, and ethnic diversity while recognizing common historical experiences in American history. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates the collective accomplishments of these heterogeneous communities.