First conceived and introduced into Congress in the late 1970s, what we know today as Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month (APIHM) began as a week to be celebrated in the first 10 days as “Asian Pacific Heritage Week”. In 1991, the week was expanded upon, and May was officially designated as “Asian Pacific American Heritage Month”. Traditionally honored in May to commemorate the migration of the first immigrants from Japan, Elon celebrates APIHM in April. This year’s APIHM, focuses on the theme of “unity and community”.

With the Black Power & Civil Rights movements, the 1960s marked an inflection point for Asian communities in the US: the birth of the Asian American movement. Students from UC-Berkeley are said to be the first to utilize the term “Asian American” and did so to create a rallying point for Asian diaspora in the US.

Since then, the Asian American movement has continued to evolve, and the continued use of the term “Asian American” can be thought of as a legacy from previous Asian American activists who endured to create a better and more just society. This year’s APIHM will honor this part of Asian American history and identity.

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