AAPI Heritage Month 2027 runs from Saturday, May 1, to Monday, May 31, 2027. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month honors the history and contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States, and has been held every May since Congress made it permanent in 1992. Canada also marks Asian Heritage Month in May.
Key takeaways
- AAPI Heritage Month is May every year; in 2027, it runs from Saturday, May 1, to Monday, May 31.
- May marks the first known Japanese immigrant’s arrival on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.
- It began as a heritage week in 1978, became a month in 1990, and was made permanent in 1992.
- The US Asian population was 26.8 million in 2024, and the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population was 1.8 million.
AAPI Heritage Month 2027 at a glance
- Dates: Saturday, May 1 – Monday, May 31, 2027.
- Full names: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month; Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.
- First observed: as a week in 1978; as a month in 1990.
- Made permanent: 1992, by act of Congress.
- Key anniversaries in May: May 7, 1843, and May 10, 1869.
- Public holiday: no.
Table of Contents
When is AAPI Heritage Month 2027?
AAPI Heritage Month 2027 is May 1–31, 2027. It starts on a Saturday and ends on Memorial Day, Monday, May 31.
Two anniversaries fall inside the 2027 month: Friday, May 7, marks 184 years since the first known Japanese immigrant arrived, and Monday, May 10, marks 158 years since the transcontinental railroad was completed.
Is it AAPI or AANHPI Heritage Month?
Both names refer to the same May observance. AAPI stands for Asian American and Pacific Islander, and AANHPI stands for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander.
The longer name grew out of a 2021 presidential proclamation that broadened the month to name Native Hawaiians (Census Bureau).
Federal agencies have used both names since; the Census Bureau’s 2026 release used “Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.” Many schools and organizations use AANHPI to include Native Hawaiians by name.
Why is AAPI Heritage Month in May?
AAPI Heritage Month is in May because of two anniversaries. The first known Japanese immigrant to the United States arrived on May 7, 1843, and the transcontinental railroad, built with the labor of thousands of Chinese workers, was completed on May 10, 1869 (Census Bureau).
TIME reports that up to 20,000 Chinese workers helped build the railroad (TIME).
How did AAPI Heritage Month start?
AAPI Heritage Month started with one woman’s campaign in the 1970s and became a permanent month in 1992. According to TIME, Jeanie Jew, a former Capitol Hill staffer, asked Representative Frank Horton to recognize Asian Pacific Americans after they were left out of the 1976 Bicentennial. Her great-grandfather, M. Y. Lee, helped build the transcontinental railroad.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1978 | Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Mineta’s bill creates Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, beginning May 4; President Jimmy Carter signs it. |
| 1990 | The week is expanded to a month, still renewed by presidential proclamation each year. |
| 1992 | Congress passes a law making May Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month permanently. |
| 1997 | The federal government splits “Asian” and “Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander” into separate race categories. |
| 2021 | A presidential proclamation broadens the month to name Native Hawaiians. |
Sources: TIME, Census Bureau.
AAPI Heritage Month facts
The US Asian population was 26.8 million in 2024, counting people who identify as Asian alone or with another race, and the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander population was 1.8 million, according to the Census Bureau.
| Group (2024) | Population, alone or in combination |
|---|---|
| Chinese (except Taiwanese) | 5.8 million |
| Asian Indian | 5.6 million |
| Filipino | 5.0 million |
| Vietnamese | 2.4 million |
| Korean | 2.2 million |
| Japanese | 1.7 million |
| Native Hawaiian | 728,718 |
| Samoan | 271,387 |
| Chamorro | 167,504 |
The Census Bureau also counted 684,916 Asian-owned firms with paid employees and 9,413 owned by Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in 2023 (Census Bureau).
Asian Heritage Month in Canada
Canada also marks Asian Heritage Month in May. The Senate approved Senator Vivienne Poy’s motion to designate May as Asian Heritage Month in December 2001, and the Government of Canada made its official declaration in May 2002 (Canadian Heritage).
AAPI Heritage Month ideas
Schools, workplaces, and families mark the month by learning the history and supporting AAPI communities. Ideas include:
- Teach the railroad story: the May 10 anniversary is a good starting point for lessons on Chinese railroad workers.
- Read AAPI authors: choose novels, memoirs, and poetry by Asian American and Pacific Islander writers.
- Learn about Native Hawaiian history: include Hawaiian culture and language, not only Asian American history.
- Visit a museum or cultural center: many cities have Asian American and Pacific Islander museums, festivals, and night markets in May.
- Support AAPI-owned businesses: buy from local restaurants, shops, and makers.
Other heritage months in 2027, including Black History Month and Native American Heritage Month, are listed in the Awareness Calendar 2027.
AAPI Heritage Month dates 2026 to 2031
| Year | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, May 1 | Sunday, May 31 |
| 2027 | Saturday, May 1 | Monday, May 31 |
| 2028 | Monday, May 1 | Wednesday, May 31 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, May 1 | Thursday, May 31 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, May 1 | Friday, May 31 |
| 2031 | Thursday, May 1 | Saturday, May 31 |
Frequently asked questions
When is AAPI Heritage Month 2027?
AAPI Heritage Month 2027 runs from Saturday, May 1, to Monday, May 31, 2027.
What does AAPI stand for?
AAPI stands for Asian American and Pacific Islander. AANHPI adds Native Hawaiian: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander.
Why is AAPI Heritage Month in May?
May marks the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrant on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.
When did AAPI Heritage Month become official?
It began as a week in 1978, became a month in 1990, and Congress made May permanent in 1992.
Is Asian Heritage Month the same as AAPI Heritage Month?
They are both in May. AAPI Heritage Month is the US observance, and Asian Heritage Month is Canada’s.
Is AAPI Heritage Month a federal holiday?
No, it is a commemorative month, not a federal holiday.
