📌APIA Every Day (10) - Range 99 at the Historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., holds a unique historical significance as the burial site for nearly 100 Chinese immigrants from 1896 to 1938. These individuals were pioneers among the first Chinese migrants to the city and played a significant role in the diverse tapestry of the nation's capital. However, in adherence to Chinese traditions, their remains were later exhumed and transported back to China for reburial, where their families could perform essential ancestral rites. In 2015 and again in 2022, recognizing the importance of preserving this chapter of Chinese American history, the 1882 Foundation collaborated with the Chinese American Citizens Alliance and the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association to establish a memorial site at Range 99 within the Congressional Cemetery.

Despite the absence of physical remains in Range 99 today, the memorial stands as a testament to the Chinese American historical experience in the United States. The site was marked by benches and a plaque in 2015, intended to provide a place for historical remembrance and reflection for both visitors and the descendants of Chinese immigrants. Unfortunately, the original sitting area faced challenges, including a collapsed boundary wall and damaged benches due to weather and exposure. To rejuvenate the memorial, the 1882 Foundation replaced the benches, create a brick patio, plant new trees to restore the natural canopy, and reinstall the commemorative plaque with additional interpretive signage in 2022. This effort aims to ensure that the stories of these early Chinese immigrants are not forgotten, acknowledging their contributions within the broader context of over 200 years of American history represented at the Congressional Cemetery.

📌APIA Every Day (9) - Washington, D.C.'s Chinatown is a historic neighborhood located in the heart of Downtown Washington, D.C. It has a rich history of Chinese immigration dating back to the 19th century. The neighborhood was originally established in the 1880s, but it was relocated in the 1930s to make way for government development projects. At its peak, Chinatown extended from G Street to Massachusetts Avenue and from 5th Street to 9th Street, becoming a bustling community with Chinese businesses, schools, clubs, and cultural institutions. One of the most prominent symbols of the neighborhood's cultural heritage is the Friendship Archway, a traditional Chinese gate dedicated in 1986 to mark the friendship between Washington, D.C., and Beijing, China. This impressive archway, designed by architect Alfred H. Liu, showcases intricate Chinese design motifs and is adorned with over 7,000 glazed tiles and 280 painted dragons.

The Chinatown Community Cultural Center, located at 616 H Street, has played a significant role in preserving and promoting Chinatown's cultural identity. This center offers a range of programs and activities aimed at celebrating Chinese culture, history, language, and heritage. These include walking tours that provide insights into the neighborhood's history and culture. The center's efforts contribute to educating both residents and visitors about the neighborhood's rich past and its role in shaping the cultural fabric of the city.

📌APIA Every Day (8) - The Hung Sa Dahn, located in Expo Park, Los Angeles, is a Craftsman-style residence that played a pivotal role in the Korean American community & the broader historical context. Established as the headquarters of the Young Korean Academy, this organization was founded by Dosan Ahn Chang Ho, a prominent figure in Korean American history and the Korean Independence Movement. The property served as the operational base for Hung Sa Dahn from 1929 to 1979. Dosan Ahn Chang Ho's teachings on democracy and sovereignty were central to the organization's mission, attracting a diverse membership that included day laborers, farmworkers, shopkeepers, as well as ambassadors and diplomats. The property narrowly escaped demolition in 2021, APIAHiP, the Los Angeles Conservancy, and other community members successfully nominated & advocated to designate it as a Historic-Cultural Monument (HCM). The Government of the Republic of Korea later purchased the property in 2023, securing its preservation.

This successful preservation effort demonstrated the collective commitment of local, national, and international community members to safeguard and celebrate a vital piece of the Korean American heritage and the ongoing legacy of the Hung Sa Dahn.

📌APIA Every Day (7) - Sheridan, Wyoming, celebrated for its “Wild West” history and breathtaking landscapes, harbors a lesser-known yet vital piece of its own history—the emergence of a Pakistani community, led by Zarif Khan, who arrived in 1907 from the village of Bara, British India (now part of Pakistan).

Zarif Khan's journey led to the acquisition of a local restaurant from German immigrant Louis Menge, which retained the name "Louie's." Under Khan's ownership, the restaurant thrived, and he was affectionately known as "Hot Tamale Louie." The restaurant became a cherished gathering place where individuals from diverse backgrounds came together, reflecting Khan's welcoming spirit and the harmonious coexistence of different cultures.

📌APIA Every Day (6) - One of I.M. Pei's most celebrated contributions to American architecture is the East Building of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. Completed in 1978, this distinctive addition exemplifies Pei's talent for pushing the boundaries of architectural design. The East Building is a striking juxtaposition to the adjacent neoclassical West Building, featuring a geometric and angular structure constructed from pink Tennessee marble and glass. Its bold and modern design includes large triangular shapes and open, light-filled spaces, providing an innovative backdrop for the display of modern and contemporary art. With its exceptional architecture and thoughtful integration into the cultural and urban context of Washington, the East Building is a testament to I.M. Pei's enduring legacy of blending tradition and innovation.

📌APIA Every Day (5) - The San Antonio Japanese Tea Garden, (also known as the Sunken Gardens and at one time, the Chinese Tea Garden) is a captivating historical attraction located in Brackenridge Park, San Antonio, Texas. This remarkable site emerged from an abandoned limestone quarry, transformed into a serene oasis by City Parks Commissioner Ray Lambert starting in 1917. While using prison labor, Lambert alongside engineer W.S. Delery designed the quarry, constructing pathways, stone arch bridges, and even a Japanese pagoda. The garden was initially maintained by Kimi Eizo Jingu, a Japanese-American artist who opened the Bamboo Room in 1926, offering light lunches and tea to visitors. However by 1942, World War II and Japanese incarceration brought anti-Japanese sentiment, leading to the eviction of the Jingu family and a temporary renaming of the garden to the Chinese Tea Garden.

📌APIA Every Day (4) - The West Argyle Street Historic District, also known as Little Saigon, New Chinatown, and Asia on Argyle, is a historic district located in northern Uptown, Chicago, Illinois. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2010 and spans roughly 41 acres. Its boundaries include N. Glenwood Ave to the west, Winona Street to the north, Sheridan Road to the east, and Ainslie Street to the south. The neighborhood has a rich history, originally developing as a suburb called Argyle Park in the 1880s, which was later annexed into Chicago.

APIA Every Day (3) - San Francisco's Chinatown stands as the oldest and most resilient Chinatown in the United States, with a history dating back to the 1850s. Born from the influx of Chinese immigrants during the Gold Rush (1848–1855), this iconic neighborhood has weathered discrimination, exclusionary laws (1882), and economic challenges to become a vibrant community offering its residents everything they needed within its compact boundaries. From work and food to benevolent associations, entertainment, education, and religious institutions, Chinatown epitomizes the endurance and determination of Asian Americans in the face of adversity.

📌APIA Every Day (2) - Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, situated in the remote expanse of the Northern Pacific Ocean, holds immense historic and cultural significance for Native Hawaiians. Covering 88 million acres of turbulent seas, basaltic islets, and coral atolls, this World Heritage Site is not only one of the largest environmentally protected areas on Earth but is deeply woven into the complex tapestry of Native Hawaiian history and traditions. Inscribed on the World Heritage List for both natural and cultural values in 2010, Papahānaumokuākea has long been regarded as a sacred landscape and seascape by Hawaii's traditional people. It's an area that tells the story of ancestral Oceanic people who navigated these open waters using traditional wayfinding techniques, connecting the remote islands through open-ocean voyaging over millennia.

These islands, such as Nihoa and Mokumanamana, are recognized in both the State and National Registers of Historic Places, bearing witness to Native Hawaiians' presence in these lands from as early as 1000 A.D. to 1700 A.D. With archaeological sites, agricultural terraces, religious places, and habitation features, these islands served as focal points for ritual ceremonies and continuous human occupation, rooted in Hawaiian religious and ritual practices. Mokumanamana, known for its celestial alignments for navigational purposes and other cultural significance, represents a connection between the worlds of spirits and the living, showcasing the enduring relevance of Native Hawaiian cultural heritage in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Today, Papahānaumokuākea remains an essential place for Native Hawaiians to preserve their rich cultural identity and knowledge systems, bridging the past and present in a living relationship with these sacred islands.

📌APIA Every Day (1) - Saint Malo was a historic fishing village in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, situated along the shores of Lake Borgne. It is recognized as the first permanent Filipino settlement in the United States and possibly the oldest Asian-American settlement. The exact date of its establishment is disputed, with some accounts suggesting it was formed as early as 1763 or 1765 by Filipino deserters and escaped enslaved people from Spanish Manila galleon trade. These settlers, often referred to as Manila men or Manilamen, played a significant role in the defense of New Orleans when they were recruited by local pirate Jean Lafitte to join the "Baratarians" in support of American forces led by Andrew Jackson. The settlement of Saint Malo was destroyed in 1915 by the New Orleans hurricane, and its remnants assimilated into New Orleans.

Saint Malo's history is closely linked to the origins of dried shrimp in Louisiana. The Manilamen introduced this culinary innovation, contributing to the seafood industry by preserving and concentrating the flavor of shrimp through boiling, brining, and sun-drying. They transported dried shrimp globally and significantly influenced Louisiana's modern-day shrimp industry. The Manilamen's arrival in Louisiana remains shrouded in mystery, with various theories suggesting they came on Spanish trade vessels in the mid-1700s or were Filipino sailors and servants who jumped ship during the Manila-Acapulco trade route. Their legacy, however, has often been overlooked, with their story fading over time due to assimilation, limited historical records, and natural disasters like Hurricane Katrina.

APIAHiP is thrilled to unveil APIA Every Day (APIA Ed), a captivating initiative that invites you to embark on a daily journey through the rich tapestry of Asian & Pacific Islander American history and heritage. Every day, we spotlight a new historic site or cultural resource that holds immense significance for Asian & Pacific Islander Americans, showcasing their profound contributions to the American narrative.

Our mission is clear: to shed light on an abundance of sites, both on local, state, and national registers, as well as those yet to be recognized. We strive to expand awareness beyond well-known landmarks, encouraging a collective understanding of the diverse and multifaceted stories of our communities. Through this, we aim to bridge gaps in historical representation and elevate underrepresented sites, stories, and communities that are integral to our broader understanding of American history.

With each spotlight, we delve into the research and information available, amplifying others' diligent work. Additionally, we advocate for preserving and understanding these invaluable sites, seeking your support and engagement in this important cause. We invite you to learn about new sites and stories, while actively participating by sharing your recommendations of places that matter to you and your regional or ethnic communities.

Join us in this enlightening exploration by following us on Instagram and Facebook, or by visiting this webpage frequently. Together, let's celebrate the diverse heritage and rich history of Asian & Pacific Islander Americans, one spotlight at a time. APIA Every Day is an invitation to honor the past and shape a more inclusive future!