Some Important Years in Filipino American History

A few important years in Filipino American History

1587 – First Filipino Arrival in the U.S.

• Filipino sailors known as “Luzones Indios” landed in Morro Bay, California aboard a Spanish galleon—making them the first Asians to arrive in North America.

1763 – First Filipino Settlement in the U.S.

• Filipino deserters from Spanish ships established a small settlement in Saint Malo, Louisiana, the first known Filipino American community.

1906 – Sakadas Arrive in Hawaii

• The first wave of Filipino migrant workers (sakadas) arrived in Hawaii to work on sugar plantations under U.S. colonial rule.

1924 – Filipino Labor Strike in California

• Filipino workers led major labor strikes, particularly in California's agricultural fields, fighting for better wages and conditions.

1934 – Tydings-McDuffie Act Passed

• Reclassified Filipinos from U.S. nationals to aliens, drastically limiting immigration and laying groundwork for Philippine independence.

1941–1945 – Filipino WWII Veterans

• Over 250,000 Filipinos fought under the U.S. flag during WWII, especially during the defense of the Philippines.

1946 – Rescission Act Passed

• Denied promised U.S. military benefits to most Filipino WWII veterans, creating a decades-long fight for recognition and compensation.

1965 – Immigration and Nationality Act Passed

• Removed restrictive quotas and opened the door for a major new wave of Filipino immigration, especially of professionals like nurses and doctors.

1973 – Formation of Filipino American Activist Groups

• Groups like the Union of Democratic Filipinos (KDP) were formed in response to Martial Law in the Philippines and U.S. racial injustice.

1982 – Murder of Vincent Chin

• While not Filipino, his murder mobilized many Asian American communities, including Filipino Americans, into pan-Asian solidarity movements.

1990 – Filipino WWII Veterans Gain Naturalization Rights

• U.S. Congress granted naturalization to Filipino WWII veterans, though full benefits still remained a struggle.

2009 – Obama Signs WWII Veterans Compensation Law

• Filipino veterans finally received recognition and a one-time payment, decades after their service.

2015 – Filipino American History Month Recognized by U.S. Congress

• October was officially recognized as Filipino American History Month nationwide.

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