Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to recognize the achievements and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders to the history and culture of the United States. The Gilder Lehrman Institute is pleased to share primary sources, videos, essays, and lesson plans that highlight the experiences of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians in US history.

 

Image: Fred Palumbo, photographer, “April Lou, teacher at PS 1, Manhattan, with six Chinese children, recent arrivals from Hong Kong and Formosa, who are holding up placards giving his or her Chinese name in ideographs and in transliteration," 1964 (Library of Congress)

April Lou, teacher at PS 1, Manhattan, with six Chinese children, recent arrivals from Hong Kong and Formosa, who are holding up placards giving his or her Chinese name in ideographs and in transliteration. Photo by Fred Palumbo, 1964 (Library of Congress)

Featured Resources

HMong refugees at a HMong New Year Celebration in Laos, ca. 1964
Teacher

Lesson Plan: Refugees from Southeast Asia, 1964–2000

Over the course of five lessons, students will learn about the experiences of Cambodian, Vietnamese, Laotian, and Hmong refugees who were resettled in the US between the 1970s and early 2000s.

Explore Lesson Plan
Yo-Yo Ma, Cellist, USA plays the cello during the 'Presentation of the Crystal Award' at the Annual Meeting 2008 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, January 25, 2008.
Student

Kahoot!: Famous Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Use this twelve-question quiz, created by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, to learn more about acclaimed Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Best for students in grades 3 through 12.

Take Quiz
Immigrants aboard the Shimyo Maru at Angel Island, California.
All Audiences

History Now: Asian American Immigration and US Policy

In this issue of History Now, our scholars examine the complex circumstances and the global politics that led to the exclusion and ultimately to the inclusion of Asian immigrants in the United States.

Read Issue

Additional Resources

Courses

History U Courses

History U offers free, self-paced courses for high school students.

Self-Paced Courses

Self-Paced Courses offer graduate-level online instruction in American history by eminent historians. Courses are available to watch or listen to on your own time and at your own pace. Teachers can also get certificates for CEU credits.

Essays

History Now Essays

History Now, the online journal of the Gilder Lehrman Institute, features essays by the nation’s leading historians.

Full Issues

Essays

Hamilton Cast Read Alongs

Hamilton Cast Read Alongs

Hamilton Cast Read Alongs feature Hamilton cast members reading award-winning children’s books followed by a discussion of the history behind the story led by Keisha Rembert, a Gilder Lehrman master teacher.

Historical Documents

Spotlights on Primary Sources

Each Spotlight on a document from the Gilder Lehrman Collection provides explanatory text, a transcript, and an image of the featured document.

Kahoot! Quiz

Middle and High School Students

Lesson Plans

Elementary School Students

Middle and High School Students

High School Students

Public Programs

Book Breaks

Book Breaks is a free weekly public program where hosts interview scholars about their new books.

Inside the Vault

Inside the Vault highlights unique primary sources from the Gilder Lehrman Collection each month.