Join us each year as we celebrate our Asian Pacific Islander Americans [APIA] Heritage Month in April and May. While May is the National Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, we celebrate Asian Pacific Islander Americans Month in April because of the academic year calendar. It is a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States of America. The purpose is to honor the achievements of Asian Pacific Americans and to recognize the many ways they have enriched and shaped the character of the United States through their diverse languages, cultures, and religious beliefs.

Asian Pacific American [APA] Heritage Month, officially proclaimed "Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" by President Barack Obama, is a celebration of the cultures, traditions, and history of Asians Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States of America. Congress passed a joint Congressional Resolution in 1978 to commemorate Asian American Heritage Week during the first week of May. This date was chosen because two important anniversaries occurred during this time: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in America on May 7, 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad (by many Chinese laborers) on May 10, 1869. In 1990 Congress voted to expand it from a week to a month long celebration and in May 1992, the month of May was permanently designated as "Asian Pacific American Heritage Month."

2012 Asian Heritage Month Events - Save the Dates

• Asian Heritage Month Kick-Off Celebration
  Monday, April 2nd, 2012
  12:00pm-2:00pm
  IUPUI Campus Center Atrium and PNC Meeting Room
  Asian cuisine will be served for lunch and special guests will be present to discuss resources and involvement opportunities on campus and in Indianapolis.
  
  
  
• Film and Discussion Series
  Wednesday, April 11, 2012
  6:00pm
  IUPUI University Library Lower Level, Lily Auditorium
  
  

• Asian Heritage Dinner
  Sunday, April 15, 2012
  6:00pm-8:00pm (Doors Open at 5:30pm)
  IUPUI Campus Center, Rooms 450 B and C
  
  

• Asian Stereotypes Discussion
  Tuesday, April 17, 2012
  IUPUI
  

• 5th Annual Asian Heritage Month Fashion Show
  Wednesday, April 18, 2012
  7:00pm-8:30pm
  IUPUI Campus Center, Rooms 450 B and C
  EVERYONE is invited to attend the IUPUI 5h Annual Asian Heritage Month Fashion Show, it is an evening devoted to entertainment, style, and highlighting Asian culture and fashion [FREE Admission] so, try NOT to miss it!
  
  

• Philliphine Culture Night
  Friday, April 15, 2012
  7:00pm-9:00pm
  IUPUI Campus Center, Rooms 450 B and C
  Sponsored by the Filipino Student Association