Legislation signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul makes Asian Lunar New Year a public school holiday across New York state, giving students a new day off from school. 

It’s celebrated by several cultures around the world, but in Chinese culture, the Lunar New Year is a staple.

“This is such an important holiday,” said Wei Qin, president of the Chinese Community Center in Latham. “The most important holiday in Asian countries.”

With the first new moon on the lunar calendar marking a new year.

“The whole image of the Lunar New Year comes from people get together, come home with days of preparation for the food, and chatting with new clothes and decorations,” Qin explained. “We love red.”

It’s why since immigrating to the U.S. in 2014, Qin has advocated for it to become a public holiday in New York state.

“I enjoy all the freedom, however, every time in the Lunar New Year, I’m sad because my kids have to go to school,” Qin said. “There is no proper celebration.”

Hochul, though, changed that by recently signing legislation declaring the Lunar New Year a public school holiday.

“Dream come true,” Qin said. “It means a lot. It’s a very big tradition in our family. Now, we might be able to have friends over,” Qin’s 10-year-old daughter, Angelica, added. “Everyone should celebrate it.”

Spectrum News 1 checked in with folks with other cultural backgrounds.

“What the governor did was really a symbol of diversity,” said Rabbi Matt Cutler of Schenectady’s Congregation Gates of Heaven.

Cutler recognized how complicated creating a new public school holiday can be, but believes recognizing more holidays may be worth the price.

“So that we can grow and learn from each other,” he said. “That’s an important part of what our society should be doing.”

That's what Qin is hoping for with the Lunar New Year now that's it booked in the calendar.

“It can happen in America. God bless America,” she said. “I’m so proud to be an American.”