Bruce Lee Day

On Tuesday, California, US  Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation (AB 2455), sponsored by San Francisco Assemblymember Matt Haney, to officially mark May 17 as Bruce Lee Day. 

This marks the first time in state history that a Chinese American has been honored with a namesake day, celebrating the cultural and cinematic legacy of the San Francisco-born icon.

Lee's daughter, Shannon (left), who is CEO of the Bruce Lee Foundation, said the honour is a testament to her father's enduring legacy as a bridge between cultures. 

"From young people who found confidence and possibility in his philosophy, to families who finally saw themselves represented on screen, to athletes who still draw on his teachings of discipline and inner strength, his reach is profound", Shannon said in a statement. 

Haney, who represents the 17th Assembly District, which covers the eastern portion of San Francisco, called Lee the epitome of the best of California. 

"At a time when Asian Americans were too often absent from or stereotyped on screen, Bruce Lee helped generations see themselves represented with strength and dignity", he said in a statement. 

Born in 1940 to Chinese parents who were touring with an opera company, Lee was granted birthright citizenship. A few months later, the family returned to Hong Kong, where Lee became a child actor and began learning Chinese kung fu. 

He moved back to the US in 1959 and enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle two years later – but he dropped out to throw himself into practicing and teaching martial arts. 

In the 1960s, Lee found work in Hollywood, most notably as Kato (right) in the TV series The Green Hornet, but studios wanted him to play racist stereotypes and paid him less than his Caucasian counterparts. 

Pivoting back to Hong Kong, he quickly became a martial arts megastar, starring in box-office hits like "The Big Boss" (1971), "Fist of Fury" (1972), "The Way of the Dragon" (1972) and "Enter the Dragon" (1973) 

Lee died tragically in 1973 at the age of 32 after an allergic reaction to pain medication. 

More than 50 years later, his name and likeness remain as popular as ever. 

FYI, the acclaimed crime drama hit TV show "Warrior" was officially based on original notes, treatments, and writings developed by Lee in the late 1960s. His vision was a show featuring a Chinese martial artist in the Old West. 

For decades, the concept went unproduced because Hollywood executives were hesitant to cast an Asian lead, but Shannon, and director Justin Lin ultimately brought his concept to life.

Dedicated fans regularly gather in locations like his ancestral hometown in Foshan, China to celebrate his birthday on November 27th.