Miramar celebrated Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month with a wonderful evening at Shirley Branca Park on Saturday, May 6. It was nothing short of Amazing. Delicious and authentic cuisine from across the continent was sampled by patrons. Attendees learned to dance with the dragons and reveled in the delightful, colorful convergence of culture with Miramar’s Asian and Pacific Islander residents.
The free, immersive cultural experience was a hit with everyone in the community.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Month is a commemorative period in the United States that celebrates the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the nation’s history, culture, and society.
AAPI Month has its roots in a week-long celebration called Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, which was established in 1978. The week of May 4th was chosen to commemorate the arrival of the first known Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad, largely built by Chinese immigrants, on May 10, 1869. In 1992, the designation was expanded from a week to the entire month of May, officially becoming AAPI Month.
The observance of AAPI Month serves multiple purposes. It promotes a greater understanding of the rich heritage, history, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the fabric of American society. It also raises awareness about the challenges and issues faced by AAPI communities and encourages dialogue on topics such as immigration, discrimination, and social justice.
