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Kobe Bryant Day: Orange County declares August 24 to honor late NBA legend, fans want it in ‘entire Milky Way’

Orange County supervisors, on Tuesday, August 11, unanimously voted to declare August 24 as ‘Kobe Bryant Day’

Over six months have passed since the legendary basketball player Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old Gianna lost their lives in a tragic helicopter crash and his fans continue to mourn his loss as his birthday is nearing. Bryant would have turned 42 on August 23 had he been alive. Remembering and honoring his contribution to basketball and the rest of the community, Orange County has decided to dedicate a day to the former basketball star. 

According to NESN, Orange County supervisors, on Tuesday, August 11, unanimously voted to declare August 24 as ‘Kobe Bryant Day’. 24 was also the number Bryant wore on his jersey. Orange County Board chairwoman Michelle Steel reportedly told in a statement that Bryant was a “treasured member of our community” and added further, “he “inspired so many men and women to pursue their dreams and never give up”

Commenting on the decision to celebrate August 24 as ‘Kobe Bryant Day’, Orange County Board supervisor Don Wagner said, “Kobe Bryant’s life, like each one of us who ever lived, presents moments to celebrate and to condemn.”

“Kobe, like all of us, faced challenges, challenges of his own making and challenges thrown at him by life, that he overcome. Today, we celebrate the effort in overcoming those challenges. So we strike a balance, and on balance here the good recognized in the resolution brought here is worth celebrating,” he added. 

The above move by the Orange County officials to honor Bryant has earned the appreciation of his fans, who took to Twitter to say how the iconic sportsman deserved this and much more. One fan wrote, "Should be Kobe Bryant day in the entire Milky Way."

While another fan noted that August 24th should be declared a national holiday. "August 24th is Kobe Bryant Day and should be a National Holiday if not Worldwide." read the tweet. Adding to the previous tweet, one fan wrote, "Orange County declares August 24th Kobe Bryant Day!"

One fan expressed on Twitter that 'Kobe Bryant Day' should be applicable to the whole of Los Angeles and not just Orange County. "@kobebryant Kobe Bryant #KobeBraynt day 8/24 should be for the entire Los Angeles County not just Orange County. Kobe changed his number 8 to 24 after his 3rd ring. 3×8=24 is why he did it. Congrats to the legacy." read the tweet.  

Bryant, his daughter Gianna and six other family friends were flying from John Wayne Aiport in Orange County to Camarillo Airport in Ventura County for a basketball game at Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks when the helicopter crashed into a mountain in Calabasas and started to burn. The cause of the crash is yet to be discovered as the helicopter wasn't equipped with a black box. Bryant is survived by wife Vanessa Bryant and their three children, Capri, Natalie and Bianka Bryant. 

Remembering Bryant, one emotional fan tweeted, "You’ve been on my mind all day since they announced Kobe Bryant Day in OC...I realized my heart is still so fragile when it comes to you...I’m happy you’re trending but it’s still so hard to accept you’re not here."

Another added, "The only good thing to happen to Orange County is 8/24 being declared Kobe Bryant day."