
|
Spotlights of the Month from SIRS
Discoverer and WebFind
April 28, 2006INFOhio provides this information from the SIRS
Spotlights of the Month message and is not responsible for the content or the reliability
of Web links. Your INFOhio username and password may be needed to open some links.
May 2006 Spotlight: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebrates the history, customs
and contributions of people of Asian Pacific descent in the United States. The holiday was
first established in 1978, when President Jimmy Carter recognized the holiday during the
first ten days of May. This month was chosen because it marked two important events in
U.S. history: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in 1843 and the completion of
the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush extended the
holiday to encompass the entire month of May.
The Asian Pacific region is culturally diverse, and so are the lives and traditions of
those who have immigrated to America, including the Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, Laotian
and peoples of more than 20 other ethnicities. According to the Census Bureau, in 2004
there were an estimated 13.1 million people living in the U.S. who identified themselves
as Asian or of Asian descent, as well as approximately 943,000 who identified themselves
as Hawaiian and/or Pacific Islander. Join us in celebrating the rich and diverse legacy of
Asian Pacific Americans, in such SIRS Discoverer
articles as:
Discoverer WebFind: Asian Heritage Heritage Month
In May, SIRS Discoverer WebFind
celebrates the vast contributions of Asian and Pacific Islanders to the United States and
the world. Students can learn about the ancient ritual of the Japanese tea ceremony, gain
a deeper understanding of the struggles and triumphs of Chinese-American immigrants, view
colorful examples of Hmong flower cloth, and much more. This month, Discoverer WebFind
features the best Web sites available for students who wish to explore Asian Pacific
heritage. Here are just a few of the featured sites:

|
Cinco de Mayo
This multimedia page offers a variety of digital media files for broadcasters and
publishers working on Cinco de Mayo news features." (U.S. CENSUS BUREAU) Source: U.S.
Census Bureau |

|
Mothers
Day
"In May we honor our mothers on Mother's Day. On May 9, 1914, President Woodrow
Wilson issued a proclamation making Mother's Day the second Sunday in May." (LOC)
Read about the history of Mother's Day and learn about other Mother's Day material at the
Library of Congress. Source: Library of Congress |

|
Memorial
Day
"The first national celebration of the holiday took place May 30, 1868, at Arlington
National Cemetery, where both Confederate and Union soldiers were buried. Originally known
as Decoration Day, at the turn of the century it was designated as Memorial Day."
(LOC) Today, Memorial Day honors all the soldiers who died in American wars and is
observed on the last Monday of May--read more about this holiday here. Source: Library of
Congress |

|
Memorial Day
This site pays tribute to Americas fallen from the Revolutionary War to the present
and promotes the spirit of unity and remembrance through observance of The National Moment
of Remembrance on Memorial Day. Source: White House Commission on Remembrance |
Spotlight of the Month topics are selected mainly from Chase's Calendar of
Events. Articles are also accessible within the main database and remain in the SIRS Spotlight
of the Month newsletter
archives for one year.
Questions? Contact INFOhio at webmaster@infohio.org. |