10 Things you Probably didn't know about Filipino American History Month
Growing up as a Filipino American in the 1990s, I had no idea that we had a month to celebrate our people’s accomplishments and contributions to the United States of America. Truthfully, I’m not sure how many people (besides Filipinos) are even aware that Filipino American History Month exists! But it remains true nonetheless, October is our month to wear our Filipinanas, sing karaoke, and dance to celebrate our history as Filipinos… basically what we did for every Manny Pacquiao fight. However, our celebration of Filipino American History Month is deeper than just a generalized month to celebrate being brown, so let’s get into the core of October with 10 things you didn’t know about Filipino American History Month.
1. October was chosen to be Filipino American History Month (FAHM), honoring the first Filipinos landing in Morro Bay, CA, October 18, 1857. In addition, October is the birth month of famed Filipino labor leader, Larry Itliong.
2. This month is celebrated by over 4.4 million U.S. residents, making Filipinos the 3rd largest Asian ethnic group behind those who identified as Chinese (5.2 million) and Asian Indians (4.7 million).
3. Although both titles, Filipino American History Month and Filipino American Heritage Month have been used, the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) encourages the use of “history” to focus on historical events and experiences that have impacted the Filipino American culture, in comparison to “heritage” that would be used to reference only cultural traditions passed down (and not necessarily our shared history in the US).
4. On October 2, 2015, the White House, under the presidency of Barack Obama, proudly hosted the first ever celebration of Filipino American History Month in order to commemorate the rich history, heritage, and culture that bond the Filipino American community within the larger mosaic of the American immigrant story. More than 175 Filipino American leaders from almost 25 states joined us for this historic occasion.
5. One of the most known historical events that Filipinos played a big role in was the aid to the American Labour Movement when Larry Itliong lead the famous Delano Grape Strike in 1965. Itliong rallied not only Filipinos but also Mexicans farmer workes to go on strike until United Farm Workers signed contracts to protect pay cuts to day laborers.
6. The FANHS had actually recognized Filipino American History Month as early as 1992 but it wasn’t until passing of the formal resolution during the 111th Congress in November 2009, where it was officially recognized as Filipino American History Month at the national level.
7. Given that one-fourth of Hawaii’s population is Filipino, the state of Hawaii actually recognized FAHM in 2008 (a year earlier than it was nationally recognized) "to designate the month of October as Filipino-American History Month to commemorate the contributions of Filipino-Americans to Hawaii and the United States," which was unanimously passed April 15, 2008.
8. Prior to that, the California Department of Education placed FAHM on its celebrations calendar, making it recognized statewide in 2006 and officially recognized by the state of California in 2009 under Senator Leland Yee.
9. At the state level of recognition, along with California and Hawaii, Arkansas is the most recent state to formally recognize FAHM in 2022 under Governor Asa Hutchinson.
10. Filipino American History Month also recognizes the contributions of Filipino veterans who fought alongside American troops during World War II. Many of these veterans were denied recognition and benefits for their service until the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act was signed into law in 2017.
There is so much more we are honoring when we celebrate Filipino American History Month. Filipino American History Month is a time to remember those who first stepped foot on American soil, the Manongs who fought for our rights, the ability to proudly say “we have contributed” and are just as American as our brothers and sisters next to us. So every morning, through the month of October, be proud, enjoy what your ancestors have handed down to you, and celebrate the true nature of Filipino American History Month.
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