Write a paragraph about Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Include a bit about the history of the observance. Write it as a short blurb to be included in a high school newsletter.
May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! All month long we'll be celebrating the histories of Americans who have a rich heritage on the Asian continent and the islands of Micronesia, Polynesia, and Melanesia. The celebration was started back in the 70s by a Capitol Hill staffer named Jeanie Jew. Jeanie's grandfather came to the U.S. from China in the 1800s and helped build the transcontinental railroad. He was later killed during a period of anti-Asian sentiment and unrest. Jeanie turned that family tragedy into the spark that began this month of honor. Later, in the 90s, Congress passed legislation to extend the observance to an entire month and officially designate May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. 