May is designated as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month to recognize and celebrate the tremendous contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Under President Jimmy Carter, the observance began in 1979 as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. In 1990, President George H.W. Bush expanded the observance to a month. The significance of the month of May is to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869.