Ordinance 8711, passed 1894 | Vintage Portland
Today marks the start of the 2025 Lunar New Year, which is celebrated by many East and Southeast Asian communities around the world and here in Portland, Oregon.
In February 1894, the City of Portland passed Ordinance 8711 which granted “to Chinese Residents of Portland, the right and privilege of celebrating the New Year Festivities” by setting off firecrackers throughout the holiday period. Annually, Chinese residents would petition the City to set off fireworks during Lunar New Year, and this pattern continued for years. This 1894 Ordinance was not the first one of it’s kind, and Ordinances like this one were continuously passed into the early 1900s.
Today, Lunar New Year is celebrated with an Annual Lunar New Year Dragon Dance Parade and Celebration, as well as other events around the city. Click here to see how you can celebrate the Year of the Snake in Portland this winter.
Ordinance text reads:
Ordinance No. 8711
An Ordinance granting to Chinese Residents of Portland, the right and privilege of celebrating the New Year Festivities.
THE CITY OF PORTLAND DOES ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1;- That the Chinese Residents of the City of Portland be and are hereby granted the privilege to explode Fire Crackers within the limits of the City of Portland, from the 4th day of February 1894 to and including the 14th day of February 1894, during the following hours, viz:
On February 4th 1894, from 6 o’clock to 11 o’clock P.M. and from mid-night until 7 o’clock A.M., and from 6 o’clock to 9 o’clock P.M. on February 5th 1894.
From February 5th 1894, to February 14th, 1894, from 5 o’clock to 7 o’clock A.M., and from 6 o’clock to 9 o’clock P.M. of each day; Provided that no Fire Crackers shall be exploded on Sunday February 11th, 1894.
Passed the Common Council, Feby 7. 1894 (Auditor signature)
Approved Feby 8, 1894 (Mayor signature)
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