Wednesday, Jan. 29 may not be a federal holiday, but the day — Asian Lunar New Year — is a New York public school holiday. The one-day observance — which varies each year and typically comes This year marks the first time a new school holiday is officially observed in New York state. Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, is Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year. It’s considered to be It begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later on the first full moon. Because the lunar calendar is based on the cycles of the moon, the dates of the holiday vary New York State is ringing in 2025 with a brand-new school holiday: Lunar New Year. For the first time, public schools across the state will close on Wednesday, January 29, to celebrate. What is Lunar New Year? Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, marks the beginning of a new year based on the lunar calendar. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “Making Lunar New Year a holiday for New York's public schools is a direct result of the hard work of the Assembly Majority and the dedicated members of our Asian Pacific Task Force. New York State is beautifully diverse, with people from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds living, working Public schools across New York State will close Wednesday to mark Asian Lunar New Year, officially recognized as a school holiday for the first time.. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the legislation in September 2023, highlighting the holiday as a celebration of the state’s growing diversity and the contributions of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. This also makes New York the first state to mandate school closures for the occasion. Last year, the state holiday’s inception fell on a Saturday, and students weren’t given an additional day off. This upcoming Lunar New Year is the year of the snake, which applies to those born in 1941, 1953, 1977, 1989, 2001 and 2013. In the Chinese zodiac, the snake represents wisdom and transformation When I was in the State Assembly in 2009, I led the bill to establish a New York City school holiday for Lunar New Year, and I remember how people laughed at it," Meng said in a statement. It will be the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. New York is the first state to give schools off for the Lunar New Year. The legislation, signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, passed in 2023. The In September 2023, Governor Hochul today legislation to declare Asian Lunar New Year a public school holiday across New York State. “By designating Lunar New Year as an official school holiday, we are taking an important step in recognizing the importance of New York’s AAPI community and the rich diversity that makes New York so great,” Governor Hochul said. Each month begins with a new moon, and the new year begins on the new moon closest to the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Usually, that puts the holiday between Students in Rochester — and around New York state — won’t be in class on Jan. 29 in recognition of the latest school holiday. Lunar New Year, also known as Chinese New Year, is celebrated on In 2023, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared the Lunar New Year a public school holiday across the Empire State. The Lunar New Year happens on the second new moon after the December 21st winter solstice. It's typically observed in late January or early February. Lunar New Year is one of our favorite winter celebrations in New York City. Although the holiday is often referred to as Chinese New Year, many Asian nations celebrate Lunar New Year. In 2025, the I hope this coming year is a better year,” said Ming So, who visits the temple annually on the eve of the Lunar New Year. 24/7 New York news stream: Watch NBC 4 free wherever you are Each month begins with a new moon, and the new year begins on the new moon closest to the halfway point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Usually, that puts the holiday between Many New Yorkers get an extra day off from work this week as New York State recognizes a new holiday. The Chinese New Year begins on Wednesday. In 2023, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul declared the Lunar New Year a public school holiday across the Empire State. The Lunar New Year happens on the second Chinese travelers are canceling plans to visit Thailand during the Lunar New Year break, as concerns over the kidnapping of actor Wang Xing continue to reverberate through the country. Net booking The one-day holiday — which varies each year and typically comes in late January or early February — will be added to all public school calendars in New York. The next upcoming Lunar New Year
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