The First Lunar New Year Celebration in the U.S.

During the 1850s, thousands of Chinese immigrants arrived in the United States in search of economic opportunities during the Gold Rush. Most of them settled in California, especially northern California. They faced extreme levels of prejudice, discrimination, and hate. As a means of survival, early Chinese immigrants formed close-knit communities. The first Chinatown was established in San Francisco, California. It was the site of the first Lunar New Year celebration. In honor of the Year of the Snake (2025), The Asian American Education Project is hosting a webinar about the historical significance of the first Chinatown in the United States. Participants will gain access to lesson plans and books about the Lunar New Year.

This workshop is free for educators and will take place virtually. It will be facilitated by Giannela Vargas.

Giannela Vargas is a 1.5 generation Filipina American from San Diego, California. She currently is a Program Coordinator & Curriculum Developer for The Asian American Education Project and the Assistant Coordinator for the SDSU APIDA Center. She earned a B.A. in Liberal Studies, with an emphasis in Elementary Education and a Multiple Subjects Credential from SDSU. A former elementary school educator, Giannela finds inspiration from her experiences as an immigrant to continue learning and teaching about Asian American histories and narratives. In her free time, Giannela likes to read, exercise, and spend time with family and friends.