Ramsey County Board Declares January 25 As Karen New Year Day In The County

Press release from Ramsey County Government:

January 21, 2022

The Ramsey County Board of Commissioners has proclaimed Jan. 25 as Karen New Year Day. The Karen New Year occurs on the first day of the month of Pyathoe in the Karen calendar, which calculates New Year’s Day from the beginning of the Karen people's historic migration from Mongolia to Myanmar over 2,700 years ago.

The Karen came to Minnesota starting in the early 2000s as refugees from Myanmar to pursue the American dream of building better futures for their families. An estimated 17,000 Karen live in Saint Paul and surrounding cities. The county recognizes the Karen community's strength, determination, resilience and value, and commits to serve the Karen population residing within the county.

Commissioner Carter read the proclamation with county staff and community members from the Karen community offering remarks.

Watch the board presentation

This press release was produced by Ramsey County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.