ASIAN NORTH AMERICAN HISTORY TIMELINE PROJECT
This project is a special community building initiative of the 
Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society. The intent is to broaden 
our understanding of Asian presence in North American history. 
It celebrates a legacy which began 450 years ago and continues today. 
The story is told through an abbreviated chronological timeline. 
The focus is on the achievements of individual Asian North Americans. 
Through these achievements, we learn how Asians have always been 
an integral part of the settlement and development of North America.

This ground-breaking project is the first of its kind to unify the history 
of the Asian settlement throughout the entire continent including Mexico, 
United States and Canada.  The focus is initially on greater North America 
and gradually narrows towards Canada and ultimately British Columbia.

This abbreviated timeline is a work-in-progress and is by no means definitive. 
It is, however, an important first step towards setting the record straight and 
providing a foundation for further research and compilation.

This project was researched and compiled by Jim Wong-Chu and Linda Tzang, 
with additional research and editing assistance from Charlie Cho.
All rights reserved by authors. 

For information about permission to reproduce sections of this publication, 
please contact the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society.

The Timeline Project is an excellent resource for students, 
educators, historians, and cultural diversity managers.

Deluxe print copies of the Timeline Project are available for $12 each 
(taxes extra) at the Vancouver Museum Gift Shop 
located at 1100 Chestnut Street, Vancouver BC

The Deluxe version contains photographs, illustrations and additional
notes accompanying the historical text descriptions.

For institutional purchases or large quantity orders, 
please contact the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society 
at 604.677.1383  vahms@explorasian.org

We would like to thank Sylvia Yu, Trev Sue-A-Quon, Jean Barman, 
Ted Koppel, Lei Baker, Loni Ding, Gordon Kwok, Dora Nipp, Grace Thomson, 
Reiko Tagami, Iqbal H. Ahmed, Harmohanjit Singh Pandher, 
Baltej Singh Dhillon, Sarg Jagpal, Amanda Boursicot, Larry Y. Wong, 
Lisa R. Mar, J.Lee, and Jerry Pickard for their generous advice and support.

Consider this our first draft of a living project. 
Share your stories and your resources with us.

If you would like to submit an Asian North American Historical event 
to the Timeline Project, email your submissions to vahms@explorasian.org

Please provide specific details regarding the time, place, or individual(s) involved. 
Additional support documentation may be requested.

Click here to view the TEXT only version of the Timeline Project

Click here to view  
Significant Events in Asian Canadian History