Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month

This year's theme: A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience

“In 2025, Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) will celebrate four decades of service to the AANHPI community. This year’s theme honors the hard work of AANHPI leaders who established a foundation for future generations to thrive and adapt to change and adversity. The 2025 AANHPI Heritage Month poster features bamboo as a symbol of strength, endurance, and resilience for its ability to withstand the harshest conditions. Bamboo’s solid foundation ensures it can bend with the wind and stand tall after the storm passes. The bamboo also acknowledges the colloquial “bamboo ceiling” and the cultural, organizational, and individual barriers that hinder advancement for AANHPIs in the workplace.”

Source: https://fapac.org/AAPI-Resources

St. Philip's College celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month beginning May 1. Our schedule features events for students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community. The diverse schedule of programs and events strives to motivate, inspire and enlighten the SPC community in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.

AANHPI Heritage Month History

• June 30, 1977: The origin of AAPI Heritage Month dates back to the 95th Congress (1977-1978) when five joint resolutions were introduced proposing that a week in May be designated to commemorate the accomplishments of AAPIs. This law directed the President to issue a proclamation designating the week beginning on May 4, 1979, as "Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week."
• March 28, 1979: President Carter issued Proclamation 4650, the first presidential proclamation, for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week
• May 7, 1990: President George H.W. Bush issued Presidential Proclamation 6130designating May 1990 as the first “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.”
• May 9, 1990: Congress passed L.101-283, which amended Pub.L.95-419. Pub.L.101-283 requested the President to issue a proclamation which expanded the observance of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week to a month in May 1990.
• May 14, 1991: L. 102- 42 was passed unanimously by Congress and signed by President George H.W. Bush.  This law requested that the President proclaim May 1991 and May 1992 as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Months.
• October 23, 1992: Congress passed Pub.L.102-450, which permanently designated May of each year as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.” 

Source: https://fapac.org/AAPI-Resources