Asian American Pacific Islander �Month

May Quiz

QUESTION #1

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When was May first designated as a month to celebrate Asian and Pacific Americans?

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• 2009
• 1994
• 1978
• 1992

ANSWER #1

D. 1992

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The effort to officially recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander contributions to the United States began in the late 1970s.

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• 1978 – Carter proclaimed the first week of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week
• 1980 -1990 – The president made a proclamation annually for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week
• 1992 – George H.W. Bush signed Public Law 102-540 declaring May Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
• 2009 - Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month was renamed as Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

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QUESTION #2

Why was May chosen as Asian American Pacific Islander Month?

(choose all that apply)

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• The month the first Chinese immigrants arrived in the US
• The month the first Japanese immigrants arrived in US
• The month the golden spike was driven into the transcontinental railroad
• The month that Hawaii became a state

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ANSWER #2

B and C

• May 7, 1843, the first Japanese immigrant arrived in the United States.

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• May 10, 1869, the golden spike was driven into the First Transcontinental Railroad, which was completed using Chinese labor.

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QUESTION #3

When did the term “Asian American” first come into use?

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• 1890’s
• 1920’s
• 1940’s
• 1960’s

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ANSWER #3

4. 1960’s

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The pan-racial identity Asian American was created in the 1960s in the San Francisco Bay Area by Chinese American, Filipino American, and Japanese American college students. Concerned with the living conditions in primarily Asian American residential areas and the inclusion of their stories in college curriculum, they took inspiration from the advances made by the Black Civil Rights Movement.

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Previous to the 1960s, the only term used to refer to Americans with ancestry in Asia was "orientals."

QUESTION #4

Which countries in South Asia are islands?

(Choose all that apply)

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• Sri Lanka
• Bhutan
• Maldives
• Macau

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ANSWER #4

A and C

Sri Lanka and Maldives

(one point for each correct answer)

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Bhutan is not an island

Macau is not an island and is located in East Asia

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QUESTION #5

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How many countries are in East Asia?

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• 9
• 8
• 11
• 6

ANSWER #5

B. 8 or D. 6

(Macau & Hong Kong are only quasi-independent)

1. China
2. Hong Kong
3. Japan
4. Macau
5. Mongolia
6. North Korea
7. South Korea
8. Taiwan

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QUESTION #6

In the United States, most Southeast Asians have origins in what country?

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• Vietnam
• Thailand
• Laos
• Philippines

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ANSWER #6

D. Philippines

(1/2 point for A. Vietnam)

Counties of South East Asia

1. Brunei
2. Burma (Myanmar)
3. Cambodia
4. Timor-Leste
5. Indonesia
6. Laos
7. Malaysia
8. Philippines – 19%
9. Singapore
10. Thailand
11. Vietnam – 10%

Many Filipinos self identify as Pacific Islanders

QUESTION #7

People born in which Pacific Islands are US citizens at birth?

(Choose all that apply)

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• Guam
• Marshall Islands
• Northern Marina Islands
• American Samoa

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ANSWER #7

A & C

Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands 

(1 point for each correct answer, deduct a point if also an incorrect answer)

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American Samoa - acquire U.S. nationality but not U.S. citizenship by birth if they do not have a U.S. citizen parent.

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Marshall Islands – became an independent sovereign nation in 1979. Since 1986 people of the Marshall Islands may live, work and study in the United States without visas.

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QUESTION #8

In what area of the continental United States do most Asian Americans reside?

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• Northeast
• West
• Midwest
• South

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ANSWER #8

B. West

QUESTION #9

Among all states, Minnesota has the largest population of which Asian group?

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• Hmong
• Tibetans
• Karen
• Vietnamese

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ANSWER #9

C. Karen

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The Karen are a minority group from Burma and Thailand and it is estimated that Minnesota is home to the largest population of Karen outside Southeast Asia.

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• Minnesota ranks second after California with 66,000 Hmong.

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• Minnesota ranks second after New York with an estimated 3,000 Tibetans.

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• Minnesota not even in top ten for number of Vietnamese.

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QUESTION #10

The first Asian American Pacific Islanders to arrive in what is now the continental United States were from…

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• Philippines
• China
• Hawaii
• Japan

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ANSWER #10

1. Philippines

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1587 - the first Filipinos arrived in Morro Bay (San Luis Obispo), California on board the Spanish galleon ship Nuestra Senora de Esperanza

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1763 – the first permanent Asian settlement was established in was is now the continental US by Filipinos fisherman in Louisiana

QUESTION #11

When did US born Asian Americans first become eligible to vote?

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A. 1870

B. 1917

C. 1924

D. 1948

ANSWER #11

A. 1870

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The 15^th Amendment was ratified on February 3, 1870

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

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• 14^th Amendment (1868) - defined citizens as “All persons born or naturalized in the United States” (Asian born residents could not be naturalized)
• 19^th Amendment (1920) – US born Asian women won the right to vote.

QUESTION #12

Asian immigrants gained the right to become naturalized US citizens in what year?

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1. 1924
2. 1946
3. 1952
4. 1965

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ANSWER #12

C. 1952

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The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 eliminated laws preventing Asians from becoming naturalized American citizens and allotted each Asian nation a minimum quota of 100 visas each year.

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In 1917, some WWI veterans born in Asian countries were allowed to become naturalized citizens.

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Perfect Score: 15 points

12 questions

Questions 2, 4 and 7 worth 2 possible points.

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