Martial arts legend Bruce Lee, born in San Francisco, will be commemorated annually in California as the first Chinese American to receive a state-designated day in his honor. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law on June 30 officially establishing May 17 as Bruce Lee Day, according to the office of state Assemblymember Matt Haney, who represents San Francisco.

Lee returned to San Francisco on May 17, 1959, at age 18 after spending his childhood in Hong Kong. He later enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle before becoming a major star in martial arts films such as "The Big Boss" and "Fist of Fury." Lee passed away in 1973 at the age of 32 due to an allergic reaction to pain medication.

Shannon Lee, Bruce Lee's daughter and CEO of the Bruce Lee Foundation, described the honor as a testament to her father's enduring legacy as a bridge between cultures. She stated, "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."

Assemblymember Matt Haney called Bruce Lee the epitome of the best of California. The Bruce Lee Foundation and various Asian American organizations plan to celebrate the day annually with cultural exhibits, public events, and educational activities across the state.

Born in 1940 to Chinese parents touring with an opera, Lee held birthright citizenship. His influence helped generations of Asian Americans see themselves represented with strength and dignity at a time when they were often absent or stereotyped on screen.

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