Lakers fans pack City Hall for inaugural 'Kobe Bryant Day'

Lest the general public think the institution of Kobe Bryant Day in Los Angeles was merely a symbolic gesture, City Council dutifully inaugurated the holiday Wednesday, inviting Bryant to City Hall for a ceremony in his honor.

Fans showed up in droves and packed the Hall for the honoree's arrival, some even breaking into "Kobe!" and "M-V-P!" chants.

As part of the ceremony, those in attendance relived Bryant's glorious 60-point curtain call from four months ago.

While the choice of date (8/24) was a nod to the two numbers Bryant wore during his 20-year Lakers career, it also positioned the holiday just a day after his 38th birthday.

The chamber eventually swelled with strains of "Happy Birthday," as attendees and members of council serenaded Bryant.

"Kobe Bryant has taught all of us in Los Angeles that this city has a fighting spirit," said mayor Eric Garcetti, who later added, "When I'm in China and I say I'm the mayor of Los Angeles, they say, 'Oh, where Kobe's from?'"

"It's a very surreal experience to have a day named after you," said Bryant, which, yeah, no kidding.

One council member sought to summarize the lasting lesson Bryant left the city with. The answer: "Keep shooting."

Perfect.