May 10, 2008
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Profile America Saturday, May 10th. May is designated by presidential proclamation to recognize one of the nations fastest-growing population groups those of Asian and Pacific American heritage. The observance dates from a congressional joint resolution in 1978, honoring the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the 1840s. It also notes the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, with the help of Chinese immigrants. Nearly 15 million people in the nation are of Asian heritage, about 5 percent of the total population. California has the largest number of this group at 5 million. Hawaii is the state where Asians make up the highest proportion of the total population at 56 percent. You can find these and more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.
Sources: Chase's Calendar of Events 2008, p. 244
U.S. Census Bureau, Facts for Features, CB08-FF.05
http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/011602.html