USHTimeline

Asian Americans

1979

End of Genocide in Cambodia

1982

Vietnam War Memorial is dedicated

1982

The Murder of Vincent Chin

2000

Norman Mineta sworn in as the U.S. Sec. of Commerce

2021

Kamala Harris wins election to become Vice President

1990

Asian Heritage Week

2010

Daniel Inouye is sworn in as Pro Tempore

By Naitik and Alek

Vincent Chin dies 4 days after being held down and beaten by two white autoworkers in Detroit, Michigan. The two white autoworkers blamed their unemployment on the increase of Japanese car imports. Outrage within the Asian American community grew when the 2 men were only handed a $3000 fine and no jail time. This trial outcome led to many protests from the Asian American community. CNN Article of the Murder

President Bill Clinton swears in Norman Mineta as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. This makes Mineta the first Asian American to serve in the presidential cabinet. Learn more about Norman Mineta here

Responding to the refugee crisis, Congress passed the Indochina Migration and Refugee Assistance Act, setting aside $405 million for a two-year evacuation and resettlement program to assist refugees from South Vietnam and Cambodia after the Vietnam War

The Vietnam War Memorial is dedicated in Washington D.C. The memorial was designed by Maya Lin, the daughter of Chinese immigrants. Learn more about Maya Lin

Vincent Chin dies 4 days after being held down and beaten by two white autoworkers in Detroit, Michigan. The two white autoworkers blamed their unemployment on the increase of Japanese car imports. Outrage within the Asian American community grew when the 2 men were only handed a $3000 fine and no jail time. This trial outcome led to many protests from the Asian American community. CNN Article of the Murder

George H. W. Bush signed a bill passed by Congress to extend Asian-American Heritage Week to a month. May was officially designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month two years later. May was chosen to honor the first official Japanese immigrant’s arrival to the United States in May of 1843. Learn more about the bill

President Bill Clinton swears in Norman Mineta as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. This makes Mineta the first Asian American to serve in the presidential cabinet. Learn more about Norman Mineta here

Daniel Inouye is sworn in as President Pro Tempore making him the highest-ranking Asian-American politician in American history. Learn more about his accomplishment

Kamala Harris is sworn in as Vice President of the United States, serving with Joe Biden. Harris breaks multiple barriers as she becomes the first Asian American, first African American, and first woman to serve as Vice President of the U.S. Learn about Kamala Harris's Trailblazing Achievement