Korean American Day commemorates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1903. Today, January 13th, we honor and celebrate the contributions those of Korean-descent have brought upon our country, as artists, business owners, doctors, artists, athletes, leaders, military service members, elected officials, and more.
History of Korean American Day
In 2003, President George W. Bush announced a celebration for the 100th anniversary of Korean immigrants arriving in the United States. In 2005, Congress passed simple resolutions in support of Korean American Day. Since then, states all over the country have passed bills proclaiming January 13th as Korean American Day.
How to celebrate:
Learn more about the Korean American experience! Visit koreanamericanstory.org to read real narratives about Korean American lives from varying socioeconomic backgrounds and immigrant-generational levels.
Enjoy some Korean Culture! From the traditional to the modern, there is so much to celebrate. Anything from entertainment to food and drink, find something you enjoy!
Read up on notable Korean Americans- in history and today!
Enjoy some Korean Culture! From the traditional to the modern, there is so much to celebrate. Anything from entertainment to food and drink, find something you enjoy!
Read up on notable Korean Americans- in history and today!
Notable Korean Americans
Philip Jaisohn (서재필): First Korean naturalized citizen of the United States (1890), First Korean-American to receive an American Medical Degree (1892)
Herbert Y.C. Choy (최영조): First Korean American to serve as a United States federal judge (1971), First Korean American to be admitted to the bar (1941)
Sammy Lee: First Korean American and Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal for the United States, Won gold for diving in both the 1948 London Olympics and the 1952 Helsinki Olympics
Jay Kim (김창준): First Korean American Congressman (1992)
Young Kim (최영옥), Michelle Steel (박은주), Marilyn Strickland (순자): First Korean American women to be elected to Congress (2020)
JoAnne S. Bass: 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, First female senior enlisted service member of any United States military branch, First person of Asian-American descent to hold the senior enlisted position in the Air Force
Herbert Y.C. Choy (최영조): First Korean American to serve as a United States federal judge (1971), First Korean American to be admitted to the bar (1941)
Sammy Lee: First Korean American and Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal for the United States, Won gold for diving in both the 1948 London Olympics and the 1952 Helsinki Olympics
Jay Kim (김창준): First Korean American Congressman (1992)
Young Kim (최영옥), Michelle Steel (박은주), Marilyn Strickland (순자): First Korean American women to be elected to Congress (2020)
JoAnne S. Bass: 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force, First female senior enlisted service member of any United States military branch, First person of Asian-American descent to hold the senior enlisted position in the Air Force