Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI) was officially designated in 1992 to be celebrated and recognized during the month of May. However, it has actually been celebrated in an unofficial capacity in May since 1979. It is held in May to “commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869.”