In the United States, Baisakhi was celebrated for the first time at the State Capitol in Olympia, the capital city of Washington, earlier this week, with special proclamations being issued on the occasion to commemorate the Indian festival.

The event was hosted by the Consulate General of India in Seattle. It was attended by the Washington State Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, as well as by State Senators, Legislators from the Washington State Legislature and prominent members of the Sikh community residing in Washington.

Addressing the gathering, Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson welcomed the contributions of the Indian-American Sikh community and appreciated the hosting of the Baisakhi celebrations at the State Capitol in Olympia. In a special gesture, the Governor of Washington also issued a special proclamation on the occasion of Baisakhi. In addition, King County – covering 39 cities of the Greater Seattle area, along with Snohomish County, and the cities of Kent, Auburn, and Marysville also issued special proclamations declaring the 14th of April as the Baisakhi Day celebration across the Greater Seattle area.