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Heritage Month
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AZPM Celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) also called Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month is observed annually in May to celebrate the contributions that generations of AAPIs have made to American history, society, and culture.

The theme for 2024 is "Advancing Leaders Through Innovation."
Feature University of Chicago Professor Tetsuya "Ted" Fujita, also known as "Mr. Tornado," built a machine in his lab to simulate the formation of a tornado. Fujita, who died in 1998, is most recognizable as the “F” in the F0 to F5 scale, which categorizes the strength of tornadoes based on wind speeds and ensuing damage. (PHOTO: Courtesy of Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago)
Highlights
Enjoy a special collection of stories, programs and educational resources that highlight history, societal contributions, and accomplishments of the Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander community.

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Asian Pacific American Heritage MonthLibrary of Congress Read about the history of AAPI Heritage Month. This site presents a sample of the digital and physical holdings related to Asian/Pacific heritage available from the Library of Congress and other participating agencies. Explore More
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AAPI Heritage Month 2024Federal Asian Pacific American Council The following information has been curated by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) to educate the public about AAPIs and celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month. Explore More
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Pacific HeartbeatPacific Islanders in Communications + PBS Hawaii A national public television series of critically acclaimed documentaries that provides an authentic glimpse into the Pacific Islander experience. Explore More
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage MonthThe National Archives The National Archives holds a wealth of material documenting the Asian and Pacific Islander experience, and it highlights these resources online, in programs, and through traditional and social media. Explore More
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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage and History in the U.S.National Endowment for the Humanities This collection of resources and lessons are designed for use during and beyond Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and can be integrated across K-12 humanities classrooms. Explore More
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Asian American and Pacific Islander HeritageNPS.gov Discover wide-ranging stories of of immigrants from Asia and the Pacific, and the native people of the Pacific Islands preserved and interpreted in our nation’s parks, trails, and historic sites. Explore More
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Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Centersmithsonianapa.org The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center is a migratory museum that brings history, art and culture to you through innovative community-focused experiences. Explore More
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Why Teach Asian American History?PBS Teachers' Lounge Freda Lin writes about how Asian Americans shaped the identity of the nation throughout its history, dismantling the stereotype of Asian Americans being "perpetual foreigners" Explore More
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"Asian Americans" CollectionPBS LearningMedia Teachers may utilize these lesson plans which are drawn from the PBS film series to explore the ways that Asian Americans have shaped our nation's history. Explore More
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10 Must-Read AAPI AuthorsPBS In this list, you'll find poets, journalists, novelists, essayists, and playwrights. Each of these writers has created influential work and they all bring their cultural knowledge and experiences to their writing. Explore More
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Center for Asian American Media - Films for Educatorscaamedia.org The Center for Asian American Media (CAAM) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to presenting stories that convey the richness and diversity of Asian American experiences to the broadest audience possible. Explore More
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Anti-Asian Racism: Connections in HistoryPBS LearningMedia This collection of educational resources will help students make sense of anti-Asian racism today by connecting it with history. Explore More
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The story behind Asian Pacific American Heritage, and why it's celebrated in MayNPR May marks Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which celebrates the histories of Americans hailing from across the Asian continent and from the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia. Explore More
Features
StoryINDEPENDENT LENS Try Harder! With a majority Asian American student body, high-achieving seniors at Lowell High School in San Francisco share their dreams and anxieties about getting into a top university.
StoryAMERICAN MASTERS Waterman – Duke: Ambassador of Aloha Jason Momoa narrates the story of five-time Olympic medalist and surfer Duke Kahanamoku.
StoryINDEPENDENT LENS The Donut King An immigrant story with a (glazed) twist, follow the journey of Cambodian refugee Ted Ngoy, who arrived in California in the 1970s and built a multi-million dollar donut empire up and down the West Coast.
StoryAMERICAN MASTERS Plague at the Golden Gate Discover how bubonic plague in 1900 set off fear and anti-Asian sentiment in San Francisco.
StoryAsian Americans Asian Americans is a five-hour film series that delivers a bold, fresh perspective on a history that matters today, more than ever.
StorySee Us Coming Together: A Sesame Street Special Join an all-star cast and new neighbor Ji-Young for a special that celebrates the diversity of Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
StoryAMERICAN MASTERS Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir An intimate portrait of the groundbreaking writer that interweaves archival imagery, including home movies and personal photographs, animation and original interviews to tell the inspiring story of Tan’s life and career.
StoryAMERICAN EXPERIENCE Mr. Tornado The remarkable story of Ted Fujita, whose groundbreaking work in research and applied science saved thousands of lives and helped Americans prepare for and respond to dangerous weather phenomena.
StorySimply Ming In the Emmy Award-winning series, host Ming Tsai prepares dishes using ingredients from his East-West pantry.
StoryAMERICAN EXPERIENCE The Cancer Detectives The untold story of the first-ever war on cancer and the coalition of people who fought tirelessly to save women from cervical cancer including Japanese-born artist Hashime Murayama.
StoryAmerica Reframed: First Vote With unparalleled access to a diverse cross section of politically engaged Chinese Americans, FIRST VOTE offers a character-driven verité look at Chinese American electoral organizing in North Carolina and Ohio.
StoryAmerica Reframed: Far East Deep South Charles Chiu and his family’s search for their roots takes them on an eye-opening journey through the Mississippi Delta, uncovering otherwise unknown stories and the racially complex history of Chinese immigrants in the segregated South.
StoryPacific Heartbeat An authentic glimpse into the Pacific Islander experience through creative and beautifully told through stories about arts, culture and intimate human moments; the series features a diverse array of programs intended to draw viewers into the heart and soul of Pacific Island culture.
StoryUnsettled History: America, China, and the Doolittle Tokyo Raid At a key moment in American/Chinese history, exploring how the two sides remember this shared event in different ways, the reasons for this divergence and what lessons it may hold for today.
StoryThe First American-Born Chinese Woman Doctor Margaret Chung (1889-1959) overcame great racism and sexism to become the first American-born Chinese female doctor in 1916. A short from American Masters.
StoryThe First Chinese American Woman to Vote in the U.S. In 1912, one year after California granted women the right to vote, Tye Leung Shulze became the first Chinese American woman to vote in a U.S. election. A short from American Masters.
StoryAsian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond The series of seven documentary shorts reflect the complexities of Asian American experiences in this critical moment in time.
StoryNO PASSPORT REQUIRED: Las Vegas Host Marcus Samuelsson visits Las Vegas to learn more about the city’s long-standing Chinese community and their food traditions.
Stories
Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month with this collection of stories from AZPM.
Field Notes: Noguchi GardenField Notes: Noguchi Garden A tranquil oasis among freeways and shopping malls.
Fanya Lin: PianistFanya Lin: Pianist Watch a special performance by Fanya Lin, Associate Professor of Practice in Piano at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of Music.
Working in Mental Health with Sarai PegueroWorking in Mental Health with Sarai Peguero Sarai Perguero specializes in EMDR Therapy; her childhood lead her to want to help those struggling with their identities and marginalization.
Tucson Chinese Chorizo ProjectTucson Chinese Chorizo Project The Chinese Chorizo is a symbol of how Chinese and Mexican communities once thrived throughout the barrios of downtown Tucson.
Fighting Foodborne IllnessFighting Foodborne Illness Sadhana Ravishankar has spent her career keeping agricultural products in Arizona safe, and was recently awarded Inventor of the Year by Tech Launch Arizona for developing natural antimicrobial washes.
50 Years of Tucson Bonsai50 Years of Tucson Bonsai Since the Tucson Bonsai Society was founded in 1972, it has inspired generations of people to delve into this ancient tradition right here in Arizona.
Space RobotsSpace Robots A robotics lab at the University of Arizona is developing swarms of autonomous space robots capable of constructing bases and mining for resources on other celestial bodies like the Moon.
Lunar New YearLunar New Year Mission Garden and the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center teamed up to celebrate the Lunar New Year. (5:35)
Settling in FlagstaffSettling in Flagstaff The story of the first Chinese-American family to reside in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Seeing in the FutureSeeing in the Future Developing the next generation of wearable display systems for Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality.
We Belong Here TooWe Belong Here Too Local Asian American leaders talk about how friends and loved ones are coping with and responding to the recent surge in violence against AAPI communities.
Global Arts ShowcaseGlobal Arts Showcase Celebrating Asian American Music, Culture, and Dance
All the Tea in ChinaAll the Tea in China A Tucson tea company works directly with growers and tea masters in China to offer high-quality handmade tea to the world. (07:24)
Gordon HirabayashiGordon Hirabayashi The legacy of Gordon Hirabayashi and the internment camp on Mount Lemmon.
Xinyu ZhangXinyu Zhang The Tucson based artist prepares for her show ‘Wander Around’ at the University of Arizona Museum of Art.
Asian Lantern Festival Aims to Shine Light on MulticulturalismAsian Lantern Festival Aims to Shine Light on Multiculturalism The Reid Park Zoo is hosting the festival, which features some larger-than-life lanterns.
Chef KumiChef Kumi The Tucson-bred, Portland-based chef shares her culinary fusion of cultures with a secret invite to a popup dinner for family and friends.
Hank OyamaHank Oyama Over the past decade Arizona Public Media has documented the stories of southern Arizonans who served in our armed forces in a series of programs called “Tucson Remembers”.
StoryCorps Listens to TucsonStoryCorps Listens to Tucson A visit with the StoryCorps mobile recording team as they arrive in Tucson
Yume Japanese GardensYume Japanese Gardens There are dozens of Japanese gardens in the United States, and Tucson now has its own version
Remembering Mukhi SinghRemembering Mukhi Singh Mukhi Singh was at the top of the Tucson foodie scene, then the unexpected happened.
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