San Francisco native Bruce Lee will be recognized with an annual namesake day in California, making him the first Chinese American in the state's history to receive such an honor. Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law on Tuesday officially designating May 17 as Bruce Lee Day.

May 17 marks the date in 1959 when an 18-year-old Lee returned to San Francisco after spending his childhood in Hong Kong. Lee, who was born in San Francisco in 1940 to Chinese parents, later returned to Hong Kong with his family, where he became a child actor and began learning kung fu.

He moved back to the U.S. in 1959 and enrolled at the University of Washington in Seattle two years later. After dropping out, Lee dedicated himself to practicing and teaching martial arts. His work in Hollywood in the 1960s, notably his role as Kato in the TV series "The Green Hornet," saw him navigating stereotypes and unequal pay.

![Bruce Lee performing a high kick on the set of "Enter the Dragon"]( "Bruce Lee performing a high kick on the set of "Enter the Dragon" ")

Lee eventually pivoted back to Hong Kong, where he achieved major stardom in martial arts films, including "The Big Boss" and "Fist of Fury." He died in 1973 at the age of 32.

Lee's daughter, Shannon Lee, CEO of the Bruce Lee Foundation, stated that the honor reflects her father's legacy as a cultural bridge. "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," she said.

State Assemblymember Matt Haney, who represents San Francisco, described Lee as embodying the best of California and noted his significance for Asian Americans. "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," Haney said.

The Bruce Lee Foundation and various Asian-American organizations plan to commemorate Bruce Lee Day annually with voluntary activities statewide, such as cultural exhibits, public events, and educational programs.