The National Aeronautics and Space Administration recently celebrated Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

About Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage month

The month is celebrated to honour the contributions made by the Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans to the culture, history and achievements of United States.

The Month of May was chosen to celebrate as it was the first time when the Japanese immigrants arrived to the US. In 2021, NASA has organised several events to celebrate the month in the following theme:

Theme: Advancing Leaders Through Purpose-Drive Services

Legislation

The hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders had been increasing in the US lately. The US Senate in April 2021, passed a bill to combat the rise of hate crimes against the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The bill supports the local law enforcements in controlling the hate crimes. The hate crimes are the highest in California. Of all the states in the US, California has the highest Asian population.

Who is Pacific Islander?

The Pacific Islanders, also called Pasefika, Pasifika, Pacificer are people belonging to the Pacific Islands. It is a geographic term used to describe inhabitants of the three main sub regions namely Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. Micronesia is in the Northern hemisphere. Melanesia is located between the Equator and Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere.

New Zealand has the largest population of Pacific Islanders in the world.

Asian Americans

They are naturalised Americans who immigrated from Asia. Naturalisation is a legal act by which a non-citizen of a country can acquire citizenship.