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Asian Pacific American Heritage : Home

MC Library's guide for Asian Pacific American heritage

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month!

Montgomery College Library is proud to join in the celebration of the achievements and contributions of Asian Pacific Americans throughout history. This guide is dedicated to Asian Pacific American Heritage. Here, you will learn about Asian Pacific American history, stories, and receive several book and video recommendations. You will also find helpful research databases and resources from MC, as well as local, and national sources, all dedicated to Asian Pacific Americans.

Understanding Asian Pacific American Heritage

Why Do We Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?

Historical Asian Pacific American Heritage Images

Obon Festival, Senshin Gakuin and the Dharma School of the Senshin Buddhist Church of Los Angeles, California

Obon Festival, Senshin Gakuin and the Dharma School of the Senshin Buddhist Church of Los Angeles, California

Source: Skillman, Amy E. Obon Festival, Senshin Gakuin and the Dharma School of the Senshin Buddhist Church of Los Angeles, California. United States California Los Angeles, 1982. Los Angeles, California. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/afc1993001_as_03/.

Chinese pharmacy, Los Angeles, California

Chinese pharmacy, Los Angeles, California

Source: Detroit Photographic Co, photographer. Chinese pharmacy, Los Angeles, California. California Los Angeles, 1899. [Detroit: Detroit Photographic Co] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017645509/.

Miss 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 both in ideographs and in transliteration and the name to be entered upon the official school records

Miss 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 (both in ideographs and in transliteration) and the name to be entered upon the official school records

Source: Palumbo, Fred, photographer. Miss 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 both in ideographs and in transliteration and the name to be entered upon the official school records / World Telegram & Sun photo by Fred Palumbo. New York, 1964. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/94512334/.

The Queen of Peace Shrine and Gardens in a largely Vietnamese neighborhood of Port Arthur, Texas

The Queen of Peace Shrine and Gardens in a largely Vietnamese neighborhood of Port Arthur, Texas

Source: Highsmith, Carol M, photographer. The Queen of Peace Shrine and Gardens in a largely Vietnamese neighborhood of Port Arthur, Texas. United States Port Arthur Texas, 2014. -02-27. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2014630822/.

Deadwood, South Dakota. Champion Chinese hose team of America

Deadwood, South Dakota. Champion Chinese hose team of America

Source: Deadwood, South Dakota. Champion Chinese hose team of America. , ca. 1888. July 4. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2018662401/.

Some of the hundreds of participants at the 10th-annual Hmong New Year Celebration in downtown Chico, California, pose

Some of the hundreds of participants at the 10th-annual Hmong New Year Celebration in downtown Chico, California, pose.

Source: Highsmith, Carol M, photographer. Some of the hundreds of participants at the 10th-annual Hmong New Year Celebration in downtown Chico, California, pose. United States California Chico, 2012. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2013631121/.

Portrait of Anna May Wong

Portrait of Anna May Wong

Source: Van Vechten, Carl, photographer. Portrait of Anna May Wong. , 1935. Sept. 22. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2004663757/.

Scene at the Asian Lantern Festival at the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona. The zoo partnered with the Confucius Institute at the University of Arizona, Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc., and Tucson Chinese Cultural Center to bring more than 400 colorful, customized lantern displays to the zoo park.

Scene at the Asian Lantern Festival at the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona. The zoo partnered with the Confucius Institute at the University of Arizona, Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc., and Tucson Chinese Cultural Center to bring more than 400 colorful, customized lantern displays to the zoo park.

Source: Highsmith, Carol M, photographer. Scene at the Asian Lantern Festival at the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona. The zoo partnered with the Confucius Institute at the University of Arizona, Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc., and Tucson Chinese Cultural Center to bring more than 400 colorful, customized lantern displays to the zoo park. United States Tucson Arizona, 2019. -02-25. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2018703625/.

Representative Patsy Mink announces the formation of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus at a press conference with (left to right) Representatives Don Edwards and Norman Mineta, Guam Delegate Robert Underwood, and Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Neil Abercrombie

Representative Patsy Mink announces the formation of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus at a press conference with (left to right) Representatives Don Edwards and Norman Mineta, Guam Delegate Robert Underwood, and Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Neil Abercrombie.

Source: Patterson, Laura, Active Approximately, photographer. Representative Patsy Mink announces the formation of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus at a press conference with left to right Representatives Don Edwards and Norman Mineta, Guam Delegate Robert Underwood, and Representatives Nancy Pelosi and Neil Abercrombie. Washington D.C, 1994. [20 May] Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2015645165/.

The Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, near the town of Madrid in Boone County, Iowa

The Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, near the town of Madrid in Boone County, Iowa

Source: Highsmith, Carol M, photographer. The Hindu Temple and Cultural Center, near the town of Madrid in Boone County, Iowa. United States Iowa Boone County, 2016. -08-16. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2016630539/.

Chinese dragon entry in the Battle of Flowers Parade, taken during the parade, San Antonio, Texas

Chinese dragon entry in the Battle of Flowers Parade, taken during the parade, San Antonio, Texas

Source: Baird, Scott J. Chinese dragon entry in the Battle of Flowers Parade, taken during the parade, San Antonio, Texas. United States San Antonio Texas, 1982. San Antonio, Texas. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/afc1993001_sb_02/.

Korean and other Asian shops and organizations in the Lakewood neighborhood, Chicago, Illinois

Korean and other Asian shops and organizations in the Lakewood neighborhood, Chicago, Illinois

Source: Choi, Chungmoo, and Jonas Dovydenas. Korean and other Asian shops and organizations in the Lakewood neighborhood, Chicago, Illinois. Illinois Chicago, 1977. Chicago, Illinois, - June 18, 1977. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/afc1981004.145/.

Liliuokalani, the last sovereign of the Kamehameha dynasty that ruled the Hawaiian kingdom

Liliuokalani, the last sovereign of the Kamehameha dynasty that ruled the Hawaiian kingdom.

Source: Liliuokalani, the last sovereign of the Kamehameha dynasty that ruled the Hawaiian kingdom. Hawaii, ca. 1891. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/2017658685/.

MC Library Asian Pacific American Heritage Displays

MC Library GT Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage display
MC Library TPSS Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage display

Events

Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond 

"Highlights the imprint of Asian Americans on the physical and cultural terrain of Washington, D.C. Presented by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, the exhibition is on view at the Smithsonian American Art Museum."

Date: September 7th, 2024 - November 30th, 2025

Time: Monday - Sunday from 11:30am - 7pm

Location: 
Smithsonian American Art Museum 
8th and G Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20004

About These Guides

Each year, Montgomery College's Board of Trustees designates national and state of Maryland awareness days and months for MC to celebrate. To acknowledge and celebrate diversity, MC Library creates online guides and library displays for each awareness day or month designated by the Board.

More Events and Special Topics Guides

Want to learn more? View our other events and special topics guides:

MC Library Events and Special Topics Guides