President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump issued a statement to mark the celebration of Kwanzaa on Tuesday.
The statement read:
Today marks the first day of Kwanzaa, a weeklong celebration of African American heritage and culture. Together, let us celebrate during this joyous time the richness of the past and look with hope toward a brighter future.
As families and friends join to light the Kinara, Melania and I extend our warmest wishes for a joyful holiday season and a prosperous year to come.
Kwanzaa was a holiday created by professor and black nationalist activist Maulana Karenga in the 1960s.
Presidents as far back as George W. Bush recognized Kwanzaa in official White House statements.
In 2011, Trump tweeted out a story noting that Obama issued a statement for Kwanzaa but not for Christmas.
What a convenient mistake: @BarackObama issued a statement for Kwanza but failed to issue one for Christmas. http://t.co/DodG53Rx
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 28, 2011
Obama instead sent a Christmas message as part of the traditional weekly address.
Trump also sent a Christmas statement to Americans via a video.
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