The City of Gaithersburg is celebrating and honors Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month in May with special programs and a proclamation recognizing the culture, heritage, and achievements of our AANHPI neighbors.
Per the City of Gaithersburg: Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander communities are an integral part of the rich tapestry of American life, both nationally and here in the City of Gaithersburg. Nineteen percent of the City’s population identifies as AANHPI, with ancestral roots spanning 47 countries and territories, including China, Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Afghanistan, India, and Armenia.
AANHPI Americans have made significant contributions across a wide range of fields, from science and medicine to agriculture, commerce, the arts, literature, and public service.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month traces its origins to a congressional bill introduced in June 1977. In 1979, President Jimmy Carter issued a proclamation designating the week beginning May 4 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. The celebration was later expanded, and in May 2009, President Barack Obama officially recognized it as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In 2021, President Joe Biden proclaimed May as Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, acknowledging the history, contributions, and achievements of AANHPI communities across the nation.
The AANHPI community encompasses a rich diversity of ethnicities, languages, and cultures. Their contributions span generations and embody the spirit and values of the American experience.
The mission of the City’s Multicultural Affairs Committee is to enrich Gaithersburg through the promotion of understanding, respect, and appreciation for the City’s many cultures. Learn more here.