Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

A young girl is looking up at the sky and wears fresh flowers on her wrist and head.

In the month of May we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) have played in our shared history. Explore Smithsonian events happening online and in-person and find resources, podcasts, and collection items to learn more about AANHPI contributions to our nation.

Upcoming Events

Resources

Colorful collage with flowers and shapes.

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

Asian Pacific American History and Culture

Learn about the vibrant, diverse, and resilient set of communities of Asian Pacific Americans.

Judi Oyama for Santa Cruz Skateboards, 1970s. Smithsonian's National Museum of American History.

Smithsonian American Women's History Museum

Women to Know this Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The museum shares stories and objects of notable Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women.

National Museum of American History

Asian Pacific American Voices at the Smithsonian

Five videos highlight the rich tapestry of Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage through the lens of museum objects.

Smithsonian Collection Spotlight

Asian American Artists

American artists of Asian heritage bring a combined legacy to their work.

Smithsonian Collaboration

Nisei Soldier: Congressional Gold Medal

This digital exhibition presents the extraordinary life stories of 12 Nisei soldiers who served in the US Armed Forces in World War II.

Image of a stamp that has an illustration of a Somoan sailing vessel.

National Postal Museum

Stamps Across the Pacific

Explore the history of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander migrations through postage stamps.

Featured Exhibitions

Architects rendering of the Chinatown arch in Washington, DC.

Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond

Highlights the imprint of Asian Americans on the physical and cultural terrain of Washington, D.C.

Painting of a man lying on the floor. He is looking away from the viewer.

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Pictures of Belonging

An in-depth look at the careers of three trailblazing American women of Japanese descent.

A man standing in water wears a fabric and wooden mask covering his head while holding a tiki torch in each hand.

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Tuan Andrew Nguyen: The Island

Multimedia installations that blend fact, memory, myth, and mysticism.

A series of bronze hands with gloves on them hang in suspension at different length, creating a wave effect.

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Glenn Kaino: Bridge

This art installation commemorates the symbolic act of protest of Tommie Smith, the American winner of the men’s 200-meter race at the 1968 Olympic Games.

Podcast Episodes

Illustration of a silhouette of a person doing a Taekwondo move over the U.S. Capitol.

Sidedoor Podcast

Site Navigation

Upcoming Events

Resources

Asian Pacific American History and Culture

Women to Know this Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian Pacific American Voices at the Smithsonian

Asian American Artists

Nisei Soldier: Congressional Gold Medal

Stamps Across the Pacific

Featured Exhibitions

Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond

Pictures of Belonging

Tuan Andrew Nguyen: The Island

Glenn Kaino: Bridge

Podcast Episodes

The Art of the Fist

Appalachia Goes Beijing

Votes for Hawaiians

Chiura Obata's Glorious Struggle

Aloha, Y'all

From the Collections

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