Asian American & Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Inclusive - Leadership Education and Advocacy for Diversity (I-LEAD)

Established in 1979 as by a proclamation of congress, 'Asian Heritage Week' was expanded by then President George H. Bush to encompass the full month. May was selected in commemoration of the immigration fo the first Japanese immigrants to the United States and in recognition of Golden Spike day, the day the transcontinental railroad was completed as the railway was constructed by a largely Asian-American workforce.