Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
CJSCN is an official publicity partner for the 2024 Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month celebrations. The official APA Heritage Month Celebration Guide for San Francisco and its surrounds is compiled by the Asian Pacific Heritage Foundation and its major partners. Please visit their website and Facebook page for the latest events and updates for APA Heritage Month. We hope you enjoy the month of festivities!
Origin of APA Heritage Month
In the United States, the month of May each year is celebrated as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This annual celebration came about in 1978 when President Jimmy Carter signed into law a Joint Resolution of the Congress of the United States designating the month of May for the celebration of Asian and Pacific Islanders culture and heritage.
In 2005, a new community tradition was born in San Francisco when Mayor Gavin Newsom embraced the proposal by former OCA National President Claudine Cheng, to launch an annual official celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in San Francisco. The Mayor’s APA Heritage Celebration Committee, comprising of a diverse group of APA community representatives, was established to coordinate this community celebration. In 2010, the APA Heritage Foundation was incorporated as a nonprofit organization to help secure sponsorships and resources needed to carry on the annual festivities.
Over the years, this annual community celebration has been made possible through the generous support of businesses and community sponsors as well as professional services.