Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) heritage in America was originally celebrated the first week of May until Congress expanded it to be observed for the full month in 1990. May was chosen because the first Japanese immigrants came to the US on May 7, 1843 and the transcontinental railroad, which was built substantially by Chinese immigrant laborers, was completed on May 10, 1869 with a single golden spike.

AAPI history has far-reaching implications for people of Asian descent and issues within the sex trade.