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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: May 1-31, 2025

About Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM) was first started in 1992 by the United States Congress as Public Law 102-450. May was chosen to mark the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, as well as the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. You can learn more about the history of how AAPIHM came to be through the Library of Congress. The broad umbrella of the Asian American Pacific Islander term captures all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.

 

This May, come to the library to celebrate with us! Enjoy author talks, film screenings and craft workshops as well as great books, films and digital library resources that will help you learn more about the diverse accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Upcoming AAPI Events

Explore More Events

Come Play Mahjong!

A space for adults to learn & play the game.

Come Play Mahjong!

A space for adults to learn & play the game.

AdultsSeniors

Come Play Mahjong!

A space for adults to learn & play the game.

Come Play Mahjong!

A space for adults to learn & play the game.

AdultsSeniors

Come Play Mahjong!

A space for adults to learn & play the game.

Come Play Mahjong!

A space for adults to learn & play the game.

AdultsSeniors

Come Play Mahjong!

A space for adults to learn & play the game.

Come Play Mahjong!

A space for adults to learn & play the game.

AdultsSeniors

Fiction Books for Adults

Fiction Books for Children

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The Mochi Makers book cover

The Mochi Makers

Sharon Fujimoto-Johnson

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Mai's Áo Dài book cover

Mai's Áo Dài

Thai Nguyen & Monique Truong

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I Dream of Popo book cover

I Dream of Popo

Livia Blackburne, illustrated by Julia Kuo

Nonfiction Books for Children

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Can you imagine?: The Art and Life of Yoko Ono

Can you imagine?: The Art and Life of Yoko Ono

Lisa Tolin, illustrated by Yas Imamura

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My Incredible India book cover

My Incredible India

Jasbinder Bilan, illustrated by Nina Chakrabarti

Stream DC Public Library Events

Stream author talks, panel conversations and maker talks with incredible writers, artists and activists, including local artist Rania Hassan, author Kat Chow, chef Eric Kim and more.

DC Public Library hosts live events all year long! Don't miss an upcoming live stream, subscribe to the DC Public Library Youtube channel.