The Lunar New Year, the grandest celebration in many Asian countries including Vietnam and China, was designated a day of special cultural significance in California when Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law on August 26.

California Senator Scott Wiener (second from right), joins other state elected officials and community members to announce that Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 892, which officially recognizes Lunar New year in California, on Sunday in San Francisco. Lia Zhu/China Daily

Senate Bill 892, authored by California State Senators Richard Pan and Scott Wiener, officially recognises Lunar New Year in the state and requires the governor to honor it annually.

The bill, proposed in January, also encourages all public schools and educational institutions to conduct exercises recognising the traditions and cultural significance of the Lunar New Year, the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Californians to the state, and hold local festivities and celebrations for the occasion.

The passage of this bill recognises the rich history of one of the most celebrated events worldwide and demonstrates to the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community that they are part of the California family, according to California State Senators Richard Pan.

API communities have played a key role in building California and making it what it is today, however, California mistreated the API communities for many years, including adopting discriminatory laws, Wiener told the news conference.

“We now have a great opportunity to embrace and celebrate our API communities. I am proud that California will recognise the significance of Lunar New Year,” Wiener was quoted as saying.

The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the total population of Vietnamese Americans was 2,067,527 in 2016. Vietnamese communities came to the California state after the Vietnam War ended in 1975. The largest group of the Vietnamese in the U.S. live in California with 40 per cent.

The Lunar New Year falls generally on the second new moon and is celebrated by millions of Californians at community events. Many jurisdictions in California, including the City and County of San Francisco, have already designated Lunar New Year as an official school holiday./.

VNF/Hanoitimes