May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success.
Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II Exhibition
February 2017 marks the 75th anniversary of Executive Order 9066, a document that President Roosevelt signed in 1942, two months after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The order resulted in the imprisonment of 75,000 Americans of Japanese ancestry and 45,000 Japanese nationals in prison camps across the country. The exhibition explores this history through official documents, original artwork, photographs and historic objects. Online exhibition »
Image Credit: Detail of Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to Pfc. Joe M. Nishimoto. Photo by Richard Strauss, courtesy of the National Museum of American History
Japanese-American Internment Camp Newspapers, 1942 to 1946
Produced by the Japanese-Americans interned at assembly centers and relocation centers around the country during World War II, these newspapers provide a unique look into the daily lives of the people who were held in these camps. They include articles written in English and Japanese, typed, handwritten and drawn.Online Exhibition ».
Image credit: Image 9 of Topaz times, February 6, 1943 (Library of Congress)
Guide to Asian American and Pacific Islander Resources at the Library of Congress
This guide is intended to function as a point of entry for researchers seeking materials in multiple formats on Asian American/Pacific Islander studies and related resources at the Library of Congress. The types of resources covered in this guide range from special collections containing photographs, diary entries, and recorded interviews to monographs, reference works, and serials. Online Resource Guide ».
Image Credit: Roy Takano [ i.e., Takeno] at town hall meeting, Manzanar Relocation Center, California. Photograph by Ansel Adams. 1943. (Library of Congress)
Veteran's History Project
Asian Pacific Americans made lasting contributions to America's wartime efforts. Collected stories highlight service from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Iraq. More about the exhibition.
Image credit: Veteran in uniform, Chungking, China (Library of Congress)
For Teachers
Put the power of primary sources to work in the classroom. Browse ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids. More about the exhibition.
Image credit: Five Asian children holding up small barbells (Library of Congress)
2017 Event Highlights
Speech
May 11
Unite Our Voices by Speaking Together
Keynote address by Roswell Encina, Library of Congress Chief Communications Officer, in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
Film
May 16
“Americans” by Paul Tañedo
Showing of a photographic epilogue to the Boat People retrospective entitled “Americans” by Paul Tañedo
Special Event
May 19
Teen Takeover: Customize | Connect | Collaborate
The Freer | Sackler Teen Council presents a free after-hours event exploring the Smithsonian’s museums of Asian art like you never have before. Exclusively for ages 13–18. The lineup of activities includes: interactive lessons on Indonesian music and dance with the Embassy of Indonesia, scavenger hunt and tech interactives, Afghan calligraphy demonstrations and Attan dance lessons, and much more.
Special Event
May 20-21
Celebrate Hawai'i: The Ahupua'a
Visitors to this all-day, museum-wide event learn about Hawaii's unique land management system, the Ahupua'a. Enjoy the mele (songs) and the stories that have been passed down as well as traditional plant knowledge. Cultural practitioner Joe McGinn shows traditional taro farming techniques.
National Museum of the American Indian--Smithsonian Institution
Additional Events
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