Explore AAPI Heritage: History
In 1982, Vincent Chin – a Chinese American celebrating his upcoming wedding – was beaten by two white autoworkers who, angry about the decline of the US auto industry, mistook him for Japanese. He died four days later. The perpetrators were given a $3000 fine and served no prison time.
The Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965 removed the national-origin quota system for immigrants, and opened up the U.S. borders for Asian immigrants, greatly changing the face of the American population.
Learn more about important Asian American individuals throughout history with PBS's interactive gallery.
Read more about Japanese internment camps and one of the darkest periods in U.S. history.
The treatment and experiences of the Asian immigrants coming through Angel Island varied from the experiences of European immigrants coming through Ellis Island. Watch The Immigrants of Angel Island | The History You Didn't Learn.
The 1897 Supreme Court case United States. v. Wong Kim Ark would forever change the path of American immigration law, and play a pivotal role in the ongoing battle over who gets to be a citizen of the United States. By Accident of Birth examines the case of Wong Kim Ark and the historic ramifications of his story.
Larry Itliong was a Filipino American organizer and community leader who played an important role in the farm labor movement.
