Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that falls on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month. Among the versions of the festival’s origin, the most     1     (wide) accepted one dates back over 2, 000 years to the legend of Qu Yuan,     2     well-known poet of the State of Chu during the Warring States period (475 BC-221 BC).

After his Chu state was conquered (征服), Qu threw     3     (he) into a river. People threw zongzi into the water to honor him and used boats to prevent fish eating Qu’s body. That gave rise     4     the customs of dragon boat racing and eating zongzi.

Every year, the festival     5     (celebrate) not only in China but also in other parts of the world to honor Qu,     6     behavior still touches people to this day.

During the festival, various activities are held, with dragon boat races being an important tradition. Boats are believed     7     (show) the essence of the dragon, which is thought to bring good luck and prosperity. The races represent the spirit of teamwork and     8     (strong).

In addition to the boat races, the eating of zongzi, a traditional food made of rice     9     (wrap) in bamboo leaves and filled with various sweet fillings,     10     (be) another distinguishing feature of the festival.

California Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday signed legislation that makes Chinese Lunar New Year a state holiday. The move recognizes the diversity of cultures which Asian Americans have brought to California, the third     1     (large) state in the US.

The legislation lets any state employee take eight hours of vacation, annual leave or compensatory leave     2     (celebrate) Chinese New Year.

In a     3     (sign) letter, Newsom emphasized the diversity and cultural significance that Asian Americans represented in California and     4     (encourage) all Californians to participate in the festival.

Lunar New Year is celebrated by thousands of Asian and Pacific Islander Californians at community events that illustrate     5     state’s rich cultural history and commitment to racial, religious, and cultural diversity. Many jurisdictions (辖区) in California have already made Lunar New Year an     6     (office) school holiday.

Also on Friday, a ceremony     7     (hold) in San Francisco’s city hall to raise China’s national flag in celebration of the 73rd anniversary of the     8     (found) of the People’s Republic of China.

Zhang Jianmin, China’s consul general in San Francisco, raised the flag with Meron Foster, a senior officer at the San Francisco Mayor’s Office of Protocol. Zhang expressed his gratitude     9     San Francisco’s “very genuine gesture of friendship” toward China,     10     he spoke to an audience of us elected representatives, business figures and community members.