SPRINGFIELD, ILL: State of Illinois Governor Jim Edgar proclaimed April 14,1991 the traditional Vaisakhi day as “Sikh American Heritage Day” in the State of Illinois.
Guru Gobind Singh the tenth and the last Guru of the Sikhs first baptized the Sikhs on Vaisakhi day in the year 1699 at Anandpur Sahibin Punjab and established the Order of the Khalsa (meaning the pure one). ‘The proclamation cites the Sikh Americans to have added to the richness of American culture while continuing to maintain their own traditions, and for playing distinctive roles in the social and economic arenas of the state of Illinois.
Article extracted from this publication >> April 19, 1991
