Filipino American History Month

Filipino Americans are the third-largest Asian American group in the nation and California is home to the nation’s largest Filipino American population, with approximately 1.7 million residents. The celebration of Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Senora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California. In 2009, U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States.

Various states, counties, and cities in the U.S. have established proclamations and resolutions declaring observance of Filipino American History Month. Across the nation, community groups will be commemorating Filipino American History Month with various activities and events to bring awareness of the significant role Filipinos have played in American history.