This Day in History

Oct. 18, 1587: First Documented Arrival of Filipinos in (what became) the U.S.

Time Periods: Colonization: 1492 - 1764
Themes: Asian American
Print

Filipino American History Month is celebrated in the United States during the month of October, commemorating the first recorded arrival of Filipinos on the land that is now the continental U.S. on October 18, 1587, by way of a Spanish galleon, that docked at what is now Morro Bay, California.

Learn about key people and events in Filipino American history from Asian Americans and Moments in People’s History.

Pictured below is a Filipino American history resource about the fight to save the International Hotel in Manilatown in San Francisco. Learn more and order poster from Justseeds.

Find more resources below.

Related Resources
Profiles

Asian Americans in the People’s History of the United States

Profile. Brief profiles of people and events from Asian American and Pacific Islander people's history.
Teaching Guides

Teaching About Asian Pacific Americans: Effective Activities, Strategies, and Assignments for Classrooms and Communities

Teaching Guide. Edited by Edith Wen-Chu Chen and Glenn Omatsu. 2006.
Comprehensive collection of articles and lessons on Asian Pacific American history.
Picture Books

Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong

Picture book. By Dawn Bohulano Mabalon and Gayle Romasanta. Illustrated by Andre Sibayan. 2018.
The first nonfiction illustrated Filipino-American history book for children tells the story of labor activist Larry Itliong, who organized farmworkers on the West Coast in the mid-20th century.
Aguinaldo and army 1900
This Day in History

Feb. 4, 1899: War of Philippine Independence

When the United States refused to recognize Philippine independence, Philippine Republic president Emilio Aguinaldo declared war.
This Day in History

Sept. 8, 1965: Delano Grape Strike Began

The Delano grape strike began in California.