California has officially designated May 17 as "Bruce Lee Day", recognizing the globally renowned martial artist, filmmaker and cultural icon who was born in the state's city of San Francisco. The recent legislation, signed on June 30, makes Bruce Lee the first Chinese American in California's history to be honored with an annual statewide commemorative day. May 17 was selected because on that day in 1959, the 18-year-old Bruce Lee returned to the United States from Hong Kong, arriving in San Francisco before embarking on his martial arts and film career that would ultimately influence audiences around the world. The law encourages schools, cultural institutions and community organizations to mark the occasion through educational programs, exhibitions and public events highlighting Lee's contributions to martial arts, cinema, cultural exchange and Chinese American history.