50th Year Anniversary Hmong American Day

The 50th Anniversary of Hmong American Day commemorates five decades of the Hmong people's resilience, honoring their journey from Southeast Asia, their sacrifices during the Secret War in Laos, and their resettlement in the United States.

On May 14, 1975, Long Cheng—a key U.S.-Hmong military base in Laos—fell to Communist forces, marking a pivotal moment in Hmong history. That same day, the final U.S. airlift operation evacuated Hmong families to refugee camps in Thailand. Later that year, the first waves of Hmong refugees began arriving in the United States, seeking safety and a new beginning.

Today, Sacramento is home to a vibrant Hmong community of over 30,000 individuals, whose contributions continue to enrich the city's cultural and economic landscape.

This milestone event is hosted in partnership with Sacramento City Councilmember Mai Vang, Elk Grove Unified School Board Trustee Sean Yang, and community collaborators, including Sacramento State Full Circle Project, Sacramento State Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Center, Hmong Nurses Association - Sacramento Chapter, Hmong Youth and Parents United (HYPU), Lao Family Community Development, Sacramento Hmong New Year, Inc., Sacramento Job Corps, and our volunteers.

This event is free to attend and serves as a tribute to the Hmong people's enduring strength, their contributions to American society, and the importance of preserving Hmong history for future generations.