Join us on  in honor of the Year of the Snake (2025) and learn about the historical significance of the first Chinatown in the United States.

During the 1850s, thousands of Chinese immigrants arrived in the United States in search of economic opportunities during the Gold Rush. Most of them settled in California, especially northern California. They faced extreme levels of prejudice, discrimination, and hate. As a means of survival, early Chinese immigrants formed close-knit communities. The first Chinatown was established in San Francisco, California. It was the site of the first Lunar New Year celebration. In honor of the Year of the Snake (2025), The Asian American Education Project is hosting a webinar about the historical significance of the first Chinatown in the United States. Participants will gain access to lesson plans and books about the Lunar New Year.