Lunar New Year - also known as Chinese New Year and the Spring Festival - is a deeply important holiday, celebrated by billions of people around the world in countries that include China, Singapore, Korea, and Vietnam. Approximately two-thirds of Asian-Americans honor the yearly occasion.
Right now, with anti-Asian sentiments tragically on the rise in the U.S., it's important for the government to take a strong position to stand with Asian-Americans. Declaring Lunar New Year a federal holiday would be a powerful and uplifting way to do this!As Congresswoman Meng from New York
states: "Lunar New Year is one of the most significant holidays for the Asian American community. Dating back over 4,000 years, today it is celebrated by millions of Asian Americans and many non-Asian Americans in the United States."
The U.S. celebrates the Gregorian calendar's version of New Year, but so far has yet to formally honor the Lunar New Year. This doesn't make a whole lot of sense, since the U.S. is a deeply multicultural country.
Already, many areas of the U.S. have begun addressing this discrepancy. This year,
New York state will begin celebrating Lunar New Year as a statewide public school holiday on February 10.
Some school districts in Virginia and Iowa are doing the same. Meanwhile, the states of Washington and California have passed legislation that signals their official recognition of the Spring Festival's cultural significance to millions of people there.
In a nation as diverse as the United States, the recognition of cultural celebrations holds immense importance. Among these vibrant festivities, Lunar New Year stands out as a beacon of intergenerational traditions, joy, and cultural richness. It is high time for the U.S. government to formally acknowledge Lunar New Year as a federal holiday, symbolizing our nation's commitment to inclusivity, cultural appreciation, and unity in diversity.
By officially recognizing Lunar New Year, the U.S. government would send a powerful message of support and solidarity to Asian-American communities, who have played an integral role in shaping the nation's history and identity. It's time for the U.S. to celebrate and uplift Asian-Americans and designate the Lunar New Year as a federal holiday! Sign the petition to spread the beauty of this holiday.