March 20, 2021 - California Governor Newsom issues Proclamation declaring Saturday, March 20, 2021 as Nowrūz Day.
PROCLAMATION
Nowrūz is celebrated as the beginning of the new year by more than 300 million people around the world, with origins in the Middle East and South Asia dating back 3,000 years. Nowrūz is celebrated on the day of the vernal equinox, and marks the first day of Spring. Many may know it as the Iranian or Persian New Year.
The Iranian community that calls California home contributes to the strength and diversity of our state. Of the roughly half-million Iranians living in the U.S., 40 percent call California home. In fact, Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran, with “Tehrangeles” as a thriving cultural center. I am proud to proclaim this holiday in recognition of this rich culture and the many contributions Iranians have made to California.
In Iran, Nowrūz lasts for 13 days, during which most national functions are closed. The most important activity in the celebration of Nowrūz is setting the “haft-seen table”— a table of seven items that start with the letter “s”: somagh (crushed spice of berries), senjed (sweet dry fruit of a lotus tree), serkeh (vinegar), seeb (apples), samanoo (sweet pudding), sabzeh (sprouts) and sir (garlic).
While the celebration of Nowrūz may look different for many this year as we continue to keep one another safe from COVID-19, let us join California’s vibrant Iranian community and other Nowrūz revelers in contemplating nature’s power of renewal and rejuvenation, and wish them a prosperous new year ahead.
NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim March 20, 2021, as “Nowrūz Day.”
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed this 19th day of March 2021.
___________________________________
GAVIN NEWSOM
Governor of California
ATTEST:
__________________________________
SHIRLEY N. WEBER,
Ph.D. Secretary of State
Source: Office of the Governor
