Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was originally observed in 1978 during the first ten days of May. These days were chosen to coincide with two important anniversaries: the arrival in the United States of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. In 1992, Congress expanded the observance from ten days to the month-long celebration that we know today as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.*
Skokie Public Library has hundreds of books and encyclopedia articles
about the people, history, and cultures of Asia and the Pacific Islands. The
Internet is also a great place to find information written by and about
people of Asian and Pacific American heritage. Follow the links below to
start learning about Asian and Pacific American people, cultures, and
experiences in the homelands and in America!
* United States Census Bureau," Facts for Features: Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month." March 15, 2011.
At the Library
- Youth fiction and nonfiction books by and about Asian Americans.
- Youth nonfiction books about the Pacific Islands.
- Youth nonfiction books about the history and cultures of Asia, Cambodia, Hawaii, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
- Encyclopedia and magazine articles about Asia and the Pacific Islands.
Available from home for Skokie Public Library cardholders
- eLibrary
Select one of the following paths to find information, articles, and lesson plans about Asian-American history, literature, and timelines:- Select United States History and follow the Special Subjects link to Asian-American History.
- Select Social Sciences and follow the Holidays link to the month of May and Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
- Select Educator Resources and follow the Teacher Resources link to the Calendar for May and "This Month Is... ."
- Searchasaurus
Select Pictures and search by keyword for historical photos and pictures of people, places, maps, and flags. - World Book Online
Search by keyword for encyclopedia articles about the land and people of Asia and the Pacific Islands.
On the Web
...for kids and families
- Becoming American: The Chinese Experience from PBS
- Read about the experiences and eyewitness stories written by Chinese Americans. This website is the online partner to the PBS television special, "Becoming American: The Chinese Experience."
- Facts for Features: Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month from the U.S. Census Bureau
- A collection of facts and figures about the Asian-American population in the United States.
- A More Perfect Union: Japanese Americans & the U.S. Constitution
- An interactive gallery of pictures, music, and stories that explore the experiences of Japanese Americans during World War II.
...for teachers and classrooms
- Ancestors in the Americas from PBS
- The companion website to the PBS television series, "Ancestors in the Americas," includes a timeline of important moments in Asian American history, classroom guides, and discussion questions related to the series.
- Asia for Educators from Columbia University
- Classroom materials for the study of Asian history and culture. Topics include art, language, literature, religion and philosophy, geography, population, society, economy and trade, foreign policy, government and politics, inventions and ideas, and history from pre-1800 to the present.
- Asian American Heritage
- A teachers guide to Asian cultures in America and around the world. Features personal stories, biographies of notable Asian Pacific Americans, and an exploration of Asian immigration and statistics.
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Teaching Resources from Smithsonian Education
- Lesson plans, resources, and online exhibits relating to Asian Pacific American history and culture. Topics include Korean American lesson plans, letters from the Japanese American internment, Korean American art, Hawaiian feast, the Chinese American experience, Asian Pacific American history and culture, Asian history and culture, Buddhism, Puja, arts of the Islamic world, and Japan.
- Asia Society: Education & Learning
- News, maps, statistics, activities, photographs, drawings, timelines, and teaching resources about Asia for K-12 classrooms.
- Children's and YA Books with Asian American Themes
- A list of recommended books with Asian American themes including Japanese American, Chinese American, Korean American, Vietnamese American and stories set in Asia.