ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH 2005

HISTORICAL TIMELINE

1763 - 1899 | 1900 - 1950 | 1950 - present

1959

Hawaii Becomes a State and Asian Americans Enter National Politics

1964

The First Asian American Woman Elected to Congress

Patsy Takemoto Mink (D-HI) became the first Asian American woman to take office in the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as the first woman of color.

Born in Maui, Hawaii, Congresswoman Mink served for 24 years in Congress until her death on September 28, 2002.

Click here for more information on Congresswoman Patsy Mink.

1974

The First Asian American Governor

George Ryoichi Ariyoshi becomes Hawaii's third elected governor. Born in Honolulu, he graduated from McKinley High School in 1944.

Mr. Ariyoshi's political career began in 1954, when he served in Hawaii's Territorial House of Representatives. He served as Hawaii's governor until 1986.

1975

The Evacuation of Saigon

On April 30th, all remaining U.S. military personnel evacuated from Saigon. With the assistance of the U.S., approximately 125,000 Vietnamese fled and eventually settled in the United States.

Many were processed in Immigration and Naturalization Service stations in Guam, the Philippines, Thailand, Wake Island, and Hawaii. They were later flown to resettlement centers in Camp Pendleton (CA), Fort Chaffee (AK), Fort Indiantown Gap (PA), or Eglin Air Force Base (FL).

By the end of the year, over 130,000 refugees entered the U.S. from Vietnam, Kampuchea, and Laos following the end of the Indochina War.

1983

Fred Korematsu v. United States

Fred Korematsu, Min Yasui, and Gordon Hirabayashi filed petitions to overturn their World War II convictions for violating the curfew and evacuation orders. (click here for more info)

The Federal District Court of San Francisco reversed Fred Korematsu's 1942 conviction for violating curfew and refusing to report for relocation during World War II. The Court also ruled that the internment of American citizens of Japanese descent during World War II was legally unsupportable.

1989

Public Law 101-162

Congress passed legislation formally apologizing for the internment of Japanese-American citizens during World War II and authorized a reparations fund for internment survivors.

1992

Public Law 102-450

On October 23rd, the 102nd Congress unanimously approved Public Law 102-450, designating May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.

1994

The First Filipino American Governor

Benjamin J. Cayetano became Hawaii's fifth elected governor. An attorney by profession, he grew up in Honolulu, and graduated from Farrington High School in 1958.

Mr. Cayetano was elected to the Hawaii State Legislature in 1974, and served two terms as Hawaii's governor.

1996

The First Chinese American Governor

Gary Locke became the state of Washington's 21st elected governor. He grew up in Seattle, and graduated from Franklin High School in 1968.

Mr. Locke's political career began in 1982, when he was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives. He is currently serving his second term as Washington's governor.

1998

Fred Korematsu Receives Medal of Freedom

In 1998, in a White House ceremony, President Bill Clinton awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Fred Korematsu for challenging the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. At the ceremony, President Clinton stated:

"In the long history of our country's constant search for justice, some names of ordinary citizens stands for millions of souls - Plessy, Brown, Parks. To that distinguished list today we add the name of Fred Korematsu."

Nisei Baseball Honored

Fifteen Japanese American baseball players from the semi-pro Nisei baseball leagues are officially honored by Major League Baseball's "Hall of Fame" for their role in baseball history.

Click here to learn more about the Japanese American leagues at the Nisei Baseball Research Project Website.

2000

The First Asian American In The Cabinet

Norman Y. Mineta was confirmed as Secretary of Commerce, becoming the first Asian American to hold a Cabinet post. He was also the first Asian American mayor of a major U.S. city (San Jose, California) and as a Member of Congress, he founded the Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus.

Mr. Mineta currently serves as U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

2001

The First Chinese American In The Cabinet

Elaine L. Chao was confirmed as the 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor, becoming the first Chinese American to serve in the Cabinet.

She has also served as Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission and Deputy Maritime Administrator in the U. S. Department of Transportation.

1763 - 1899 | 1900 - 1950 | 1950 - present

Historical Timeline | Prominent Asian Pacific Americans | Quiz | Links

return to APA Heritage Month 2005 Home Page

back to top