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Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month: A Commemorative Observances Legal Research Guide

A guide to the laws and presidential proclamations related to establishing and designating Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May).

Introduction

Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month is a month to celebrate and pay tribute to the contributions generations of Asian/Pacific Americans have made to American history, society, and culture.

The Law Library of Congress has prepared material with commentary and recommended resources for selected national observances and commemorative months. This guide provides a brief history of the laws and presidential proclamations which established Asian/Pacific Heritage Month.

Carol M. Highsmith, photographer. George Miyasaki, artist. Dream Within a Dream: In Honor of the Pacific Asian Pioneers. 2009. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.

For more information on Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month see Library of Congress: Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

About the Law Library of Congress

The Law Library of Congress contains the world’s largest collection of law books and legal resources. It is a repository for the complete record of American law and holds foreign law materials covering all major national, state, and equivalent jurisdictions. In 1832, the Law Library was officially established to provide the United States Congress and Supreme Court with access to current and accurate legal research materials. Over time, our mission was expanded to include other branches of the U.S. Government, the public, and the global legal community. This evolving mission is supported by a collection of around three million volumes and brings together the expertise of approximately 100 lawyers, librarians, other professionals, and support staff who provide legal reference, research, and analysis using the Law Library’s collection. We also draw upon the collections and expertise of our colleagues throughout the Library of Congress.