U.S. law provides for the declaration of selected public observances by the

President of the United States The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United Stat ...

as designated by Congress or by the discretion of the President. Generally the President will provide a statement about the purpose and significance of the observance, and call on the people of the United States to observe the day "with appropriate ceremonies and activities". These events are typically to honor or commemorate a public issue or social cause, ethnic group, historic event or noted individual. However, (with several exceptions) there is no requirement that government or business close on these days, and many members of the general public may not be aware that such holidays even exist. Holidays proclaimed in this way may be considered a U.S. "national observance", but it would be improper to refer to them as "

federal holiday Federal holidays in the United States are the eleven calendar dates that are designated by the U.S. government as holidays. On U.S. federal holidays, non-essential federal government offices are closed and federal government employees are paid ...

s". Many of these observances designated by Congress are authorized under permanent law under Title 36, U.S. Code, in which cases the President is under obligation to issue an annual proclamation. In addition to annual commemorative events, the President may proclaim a day or period designated for mourning or prayer after the death of noted officials including U.S. Presidents and

Chief Justices of the United States Chief may refer to: Title or rank Military and law enforcement * Chief master sergeant, the ninth, and highest, enlisted rank in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force * Chief of police, the head of a police department * Chief of the boa ...

or after major tragic events or disasters with serious casualties. The policy of issuing proclamations calling for the observance of special days or events is in 1 CFR Section 19.4, which allows for the responsibility for the preparation and presentation of proposed proclamations calling for the observance of special days, or events to the Director of Management and Budget to such agencies as deemed appropriate. Proposed proclamations shall be submitted at least 60 days in advance of the specified observance, with any approved commemorative proclamations transmitted to the President.

Annual special days recognized by presidential proclamation

Bold text indicates a public holiday, on which most government agencies and major businesses are closed. * January 16: Religious Freedom Day * 3rd Monday in January: Martin Luther King Jr. Federal HolidayEstablished by Congress 1983, first observed 1986. * 3rd Sunday in January: National Sanctity of Human Life Day * various March/April:

Education and Sharing Day Education and Sharing Day is a day established by the United States Congress in honor of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. It calls for increased focus on education, and recognizes the lifelong efforts of the Rebbe for education. Since 1978, Edu ...

(based on

Hebrew calendar The Hebrew calendar ( he, הַלּוּחַ הָעִבְרִי, translit=HaLuah HaIvri), also called the Jewish calendar, is a lunisolar calendar used today for Jewish religious observance, and as an official calendar of the state of Israel. I ...

) *February 15: Susan B. Anthony Day *March 10:

Harriet Tubman Day Harriet Tubman Day is an American holiday in honor of the anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman, observed on March 10, and in the U.S. state of New York. Observances also occur locally around the U.S. state of Maryland. After Juneteenth became ...

*March 19: National Day of Honor *March 25:

Greek Independence Day The celebration of the Greek Revolution of 1821 (Greek: Εορτασμός της Ελληνικής Επανάστασης του 1821, ''Eortasmós tis Ellinikís Epanástasis tou 1821''), less commonly known as Independence Day, takes place i ...

*March 29:

National Vietnam War Veterans Day National Vietnam War Veterans Day is a US holiday observed annually on March 29. It recognizes veterans who served in the US military during the Vietnam War. History March 29 was chosen as National Vietnam War Veterans Day because on March 2 ...

*March 31:

Cesar Chavez Day , image =Cesar Chavez Day.jpg , image_size = 225px , caption = Poster commemorating Cesar Chavez Day , nickname = , observedby = (1) A formal holiday in US states of Arizona, California, Washington (U.S. state), Washington, Utah, and Wisconsin ( ...

*March 31:

Transgender Day of Visibility International Transgender Day of Visibility (often referred to as TDOV or Trans Day of Visibility) is an annual event occurring on March 31 dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender ...

* April 6: National Tartan Day *2nd Thursday in April: National D.A.R.E. Day *April 9:

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day In the United States, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed on the third Friday in September. It honors those who were prisoners of war (POWs) and those who are still missing in action (MIA). It is most associated with those who were POWs d ...

*April 14:

Pan American Day Pan American Day is a holiday observed by several countries in North and South America. It commemorates the First International Conference of American States which concluded on April 14, 1890, creating the International Union of American Republ ...

and

Pan American Week Pan American Day is a holiday observed by several countries in North and South America. It commemorates the First International Conference of American States which concluded on April 14, 1890, creating the International Union of American Republi ...

*May 1:

Loyalty Day Loyalty Day is observed on May 1 in the United States. It is a day set aside "for the reaffirmation of loyalty to the United States and for the recognition of the heritage of American freedom". The date, May 1, was set in order to counter Inter ...

*May 1: Law Day, U.S.A. *May 15:

Peace Officers Memorial Day Peace Officers Memorial Day and Police Week is an observance in the United States that pays tribute to the local, state, and federal peace officers who have died, or who have been disabled, in the line of duty. It is celebrated May 15th of each y ...

*1st Thursday in May:

National Day of Prayer The National Day of Prayer is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation". The president is required by law () to sign a ...

*2nd Friday in May:

Military Spouse Day Military Spouse Day or Military Spouse Appreciation Day is celebrated on the Friday before Mother's Day in the United States. Many United States citizens take this day to acknowledge the significant contributions, support, and sacrifices of spouse ...

*2nd Sunday in May:

Mother's Day Mother's Day is a celebration honoring the mother of the family or individual, as well as motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on different days in many parts of the world, most commonly in the ...

*3rd Friday in May:

National Defense Transportation Day National Defense Transportation Day is a United States Federal Observance Day observed on the third Friday in May. History and definition The observance was first signed into law by President Eisenhower in 1957. According to 36 U.S.C. § 120, on ...

and National Transportation Week *3rd Saturday in May:

Armed Forces Day Many nations around the world observe some kind of Armed Forces Day to honor their military forces. This day is not to be confused with Veterans Day or Memorial Day. Africa Egypt In Egypt, Armed Forces Day is celebrated on 6 October, ...

*May 22:

National Maritime Day Maritime Days are holidays typically established to recognize accomplishments in the maritime field. Maritime Days include: * China National Maritime Day * European Maritime Day * Indian Maritime Day (5 April) * Mexican National Maritime Day * Pa ...

*May 25:

National Missing Children's Day National Missing Children's Day has been commemorated in the United States on May 25, since 1983, when it was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan. It falls on the same day as the International Missing Children's Day, which was established i ...

*last Monday in May:

Memorial Day Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have fought and died while serving in the United States armed forces. It is observed on the last Monda ...

Memorial Day was made an official observance by Congress in 1950 on May 30, Uniform Holiday Law in 1968 set date as last Monday in May. *1st Monday in June: National Child's Day *June 14: Flag Day and

National Flag Week In the United States, Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. The Flag Resolution, passed on June 14, 1777, stated: ...

*June 19:

Juneteenth Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African Americans. Deriving its name from combining "June" and "nineteenth", it is celebrated on the anniversary of General Order No. 3, i ...

*3rd Sunday in June:

Father's Day Father's Day is a holiday of honoring fatherhood and paternal bonds, as well as the influence of fathers in society. In Catholic countries of Europe, it has been celebrated on 19 March as Saint Joseph's Day since the Middle Ages. In the United ...

*July 27:

National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day The Korean War Veterans Memorial is located in Washington, D.C.'s West Potomac Park, southeast of the Lincoln Memorial and just south of the Reflecting Pool on the National Mall. It memorializes those who served in the Korean War. History The ...

*last Sunday in July: Parent's Day *August 16:

National Airborne Day National Airborne Day is a day designated by the United States Congress to honor the nation's airborne forces of the Armed Forces. It was created in 2002 by George W. Bush. History August 16, 1940 marked the first official Army parachute jump, v ...

*August 26:

Women's Equality Day Nancy Pelosi, Anna Eshoo, Barbara Lee">Anna_Eshoo.html" ;"title="Nancy Pelosi, Anna Eshoo">Nancy Pelosi, Anna Eshoo, Barbara Lee and Jackie Speier on the 96th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, when women won the right to v ...

*1st Monday in September:

Labor Day Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United St ...

*1st Sunday after Labor Day: National Grandparents' Day *weekend before September 11: National Days of Prayer and Remembrance *September 11:

Patriot Day In the United States, Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year in memory of the people killed in the September 11 attacks of the year 2001. History In the immediate aftermath of the attacks, carried out by terrorists from Al-Qaeda, Pre ...

*September 11: Emergency Number Day *3rd Friday in September National POW/MIA Recognition Day POW-MIA flag

*September 17: Constitution Day and Citizenship Day and

Constitution Week Constitution Week is an American observance to commemorate the adoption of the United States Constitution. History The observance runs annually from September 17 to September 23. It was officially enacted on August 2, 1956, by President Dwight D. ...

*September 22: American Business Women's Day *September 28:

National Good Neighbor Day National Good Neighbor Day is a national holiday in the United States celebrated on September 28. In the early 1970s, Becky Mattson of Lakeside, Montana created National Good Neighbor Day as a day to connect with and recognize the importance of s ...

*4th Monday in September:

Family Day Family Day is a public holiday in the countries of Angola, Israel, South Africa, Uruguay, Vanuatu, and Vietnam; in the Australian Capital Territory; in the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Saskatchewan and soon New Brunswi ...

*last Sunday in September: Gold Star Mother's Day *1st Monday in October:

Child Health Day Child Health Day () is a United States Federal Observance Day observed on the first Monday in October. History According to 36 U.S.C. § 105, on Child Health Day the president invites "all agencies and organizations interested in child welfare t ...

*October 6:

German-American Day German-American Day (german: Deutsch-Amerikanischer Tag) is a holiday in the United States, observed annually on October 6 under . It celebrates German-American heritage and commemorates the founding of Germantown, Pennsylvania (now part of Phil ...

*2nd Monday in October:

Columbus Day Columbus Day is a national holiday in many countries of the Americas and elsewhere, and a federal holiday in the United States, which officially celebrates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas on October 12, 1492. ...

Observed on October 12 beginning 1934. Since 1971, observed on second Monday of October per Uniform Holiday Law *October 9:

Leif Erikson Day Leif Erikson Day is an annual observance that occurs on October 9. It honors Leif Erikson (Old Norse: ''Leifr Eiríksson'', is, Leifur Eiríksson, no, Leiv Eiriksson, Swedish: ''Leif Eriksson''), the Norse explorer who led the first Europeans ...

*October 11:

General Pulaski Memorial Day General Pulaski Memorial Day is a United States public holiday in honor of General Kazimierz Pułaski (spelled Casimir Pulaski in English), a Polish hero of the American Revolution. This holiday is held every year on October 11 by Presidential Pr ...

*October 15:

White Cane Safety Day alt=A long white cane, upA long white cane, the symbol of White Cane Safety Day White Cane Safety Day is a national observance in the United States, celebrated on October 15 of each year since 1964. The date is set aside to celebrate the achievem ...

*October 24:

United Nations Day United Nations Day is an annual commemorative day, reflecting the official creation of the United Nations on 24 October 1945. In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly declared 24 October, the anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations, ...

*November 9:

World Freedom Day The World League for Freedom and Democracy (WLFD) is an international non-governmental organization of anti-communist politicians and groups. It was founded in 1952 as the World Anti-Communist League (WACL) under the initiative of Chiang Kai-sh ...

*November 11:

Veterans Day Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces (who were discharged under conditions other than di ...

Observed as Armistice Day from 1919-54. Between 1971-78, observed on fourth Monday of October per Uniform Holiday Law *November 15:

National Philanthropy Day National Philanthropy Day is an annual observance on November 15 that is designated by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) to celebrate Charity (practice), charitable activities in the form of donated financial, In-kind donation, in-k ...

*November 15: America Recycles Day *4th Thursday in November:

Thanksgiving Day Thanksgiving is a national holiday celebrated on various dates in the United States, Canada, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Liberia, and unofficially in countries like Brazil and Philippines. It is also observed in the Netherlander town of Leiden a ...

Oldest proclaimed observance in US history, dating back to 1863 with Abraham Lincoln. *Friday after Thanksgiving:

Native American Heritage Day Native American Heritage Day is a civil holiday observed on the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. National legislative history President George W. Bush signed into law legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Baca (D-Calif.), to ...

Designated under Native American Heritage Day Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-33) *December 1:

World AIDS Day World AIDS Day, designated on 1 December every year since 1988, is an international day dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection and mourning those who have died of the disease. The acquired immun ...

*December 3:

International Day of Persons with Disabilities International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3) is an international observance promoted by the United Nations since 1992. It has been observed with varying degrees of success around the planet. The observance of the Day aims to promot ...

*December 7:

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, also referred to as Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day or Pearl Harbor Day, is observed annually in the United States on December 7, to remember and honor the 2,403 Americans who were killed in the Japanese surpri ...

*December 10:

Human Rights Day Human Rights Day is celebrated annually around the world on 10 December every year. The date was chosen to honor the United Nations General Assembly's adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of the Universal Declaration of Human Right ...

and Human Rights Week *December 15:

Bill of Rights Day The United States Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution. Proposed following the often bitter 1787–88 debate over the ratification of the Constitution and written to address the objections rais ...

*December 17:

Wright Brothers Day Wright Brothers Day (December 17) is a United States national observation. It is codified in the US Code, and commemorates the first successful flights in a heavier-than-air, mechanically propelled airplane, the ''Wright Flyer'', that were made by ...

Annual special weeks recognized by presidential proclamation

*1st week of March: Save Your Vision Week *3rd week of March:

National Poison Prevention Week National Poison Prevention Week is observed in the United States the third week of March. The goal of the week is to raise awareness of the risk of being poisoned by household products, medicines, pesticides, plants, bites and stings, food poi ...

*last week of April:

National Volunteer Week National Volunteer Week is an annual celebration observed in many countries, to promote and show appreciation for volunteerism and volunteering. In the United States, it is organized by the Points of Light Points of Light is an internationa ...

*varies in April:

Crime Victims' Rights Week National Crime Victims' Rights Week is an annual commemoration in the United States that promotes victims' rights and services. The week is marked by an award ceremony held in Washington, D.C., in which individuals and organizations that demonstra ...

*varies in April: National Park Week *first week of May
Public Service Recognition Week
*third week of May: World Trade Week *third week of May:

National Hurricane Preparedness Week In 2004, National Hurricane Preparedness Week in the United States replaced the previous observance of National Hurricane Awareness Week, as awareness does not equate to preparedness. National Hurricane Preparedness Week is a nationwide effort to in ...

*week prior to

: National Safe Boating Week *third week of July:

Captive Nations Week Captive Nations Week is an annual official observance in the United States aimed at demonstrating solidarity with "captive nations" under the control of authoritarian governments. Background Initially, the week was aimed at raising public awarene ...

*3rd week of September: National Farm Safety and Health Week *varies in September: National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week *week of October 9:

Fire Prevention Week National Fire Prevention Week is observed in the United States and Canada, during the week (from Sunday to Saturday) in which October 9 falls. In the United States, the first Presidential proclamation of Fire Prevention Week was made in 1925 by Pre ...

*week of 2nd Sunday in October: National School Lunch Week *week of 3rd Sunday in October:

National Forest Products Week National may refer to: Common uses * Nation or country ** Nationality – a ''national'' is a person who is subject to a nation, regardless of whether the person has full rights as a citizen Places in the United States * National, Maryland, c ...

*3rd week in October: National Character Counts Week *varies in October: Minority Enterprise Development Week *week prior to Thanksgiving: National Farm-City Week *week of Thanksgiving:

National Family Week National Family Week originated in Canada and takes place the week before Thanksgiving every year. It was proclaimed an official week by the government of Canada in 1985. National Family Week is celebrated throughout the country with special events ...

*August 16–22: National Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week

Annual special months recognized by presidential proclamation

* January:

National Mentoring Month 'National Mentoring Month'' is a campaign run throughout January by MENTOR and MENTOR Affiliates across the country. Launched in 2002, the campaign aims to unify and expand the mentoring movement, celebrate the power of relationships, and raise awa ...

* January: Stalking Awareness Month * January: Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month * February:

American Heart Month American Heart Month is a month-long United States observance established by 36 U.S.C. § 101. 2009 edition The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation— :(1) designating February as American Heart Month; :(2) inviting the ch ...

* February:

Black History Month Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently ...

* February: Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month * March: American Red Cross Month * March:

Women's History Month Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It is celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with ...

* March:

Irish-American Heritage Month , image = Irish ancestry in the USA 2018; Where Irish eyes are Smiling.png , image_caption = Irish Americans, % of population by state , caption = Notable Irish Americans , population = 36,115,472 (10.9%) alone ...

* April:

Cancer Control Month Cancer Control Month is a month-long United States observance established by . 2013 edition (a) The president is requested to issue each year a proclamation— :(1) designating April as Cancer Control Month; :(2) to invite each year the chief ...

* April: National Donate Life Month * April:

National Child Abuse Prevention Month National Child Abuse Prevention Month, also known as Child Abuse Prevention Month in America, is an annual observance in the United States dedicated to raising awareness and preventing child abuse. April has been designated Child Abuse Preventio ...

* April: National Sexual Assault Awareness Month * April: National Financial Literacy Month * May: Older Americans Month * May:

Jewish American Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is an annual recognition and celebration of American Jews' achievements and contributions to the United States of America during the month of May. President George W. Bush first proclaimed the month on Apr ...

Observed beginning 2006, formerly "Jewish Heritage Week" (1980-2005). * May:

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (, officially changed from Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month) is observed in the United States during the month of May, and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and ...

Observed as Asian Pacific American Heritage Week until 1990. * May:

Mental Health Awareness Month Mental Health Awareness Month (also referred to as "Mental Health Month") has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. The month is observed with media, local events, and film screenings. Mental Health Awareness Month began in the Unit ...

* May: National Physical Fitness and Sports Month * May:

National Foster Care Month National Foster Care Month is observed in the United States during the month of May every year. It began with President Ronald Reagan in 1988. Since 1988, National Foster Care Month continues to be recognized and celebrated. Overview The origi ...

* June:

Gay and Lesbian Pride Month ''Gay'' is a term that primarily refers to a homosexual person or the trait of being homosexual. The term originally meant 'carefree', 'cheerful', or 'bright and showy'. While scant usage referring to male homosexuality dates to the late ...

* June:

Caribbean-American Heritage Month Caribbean-American Heritage Month is celebrated by proclamation of the President of the United States, President and United States Congress, Congress in the United States in June to honor the achievements and contributions of West Indian Americans ...

* June: Great Outdoors Month * June: National Oceans Month * June:

African-American Music Appreciation Month ''Black Music Appreciation Month'' is an annual celebration of African-American music in the United States. It was initiated as Black Music Month by President Jimmy Carter who, on June 7, 1979, decreed that June would be the month of Black music. ...

* July:

National Ice Cream Month In the United States, National Ice Cream Month is celebrated each year in July, and National Ice Cream Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in July. The celebrations were originated by Joint resolution 298 in the United States Senate, which was ...

* September: National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month * September: National Sickle Cell Awareness Month * September: National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month * September: National Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month * September: National Wilderness Month * September:

National Preparedness Month Since its inception in 2004, National Preparedness Month is observed each September in the United States of America. It is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) within the Department of Homeland Security and encourages America ...

* September: National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month * September: Prostate Cancer Awareness Month * September 15 – October 15:

National Hispanic Heritage Month National Hispanic Heritage Month (Spanish: ''Mes nacional de la herencia hispana'') is annually celebrated from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, cul ...

Observed as National Hispanic Heritage Week beginning in 1968, became a month-long event in 1989 * October: National Information Literacy Awareness Month * October: Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month * October: Country Music Month * October:

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Breast Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), also referred to in the United States as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM), is an annual international health campaign organized by major breast cancer charities every October to increase awaren ...

* October: National Domestic Violence Awareness Month * October: National Arts & Humanities Month * October:

National Disability Employment Awareness Month National Disability Employment Awareness Month was declared in 1988 by the United States Congress for the month of October to raise awareness of the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. The month is an ...

Defunct observances

The following observances have been mandated or authorized by Congress or the President, but are no longer proclaimed or observed on a regular basis. * March 21 (1982-1988): Afghanistan Day * June 14 (1982–1992):

Baltic Freedom Day Baltic Freedom Day – 14 June, a name given to the day when Soviet deportations from the Baltic states started. The term ''Baltic Freedom Day'' for the first time was mentioned in Ronald Reagan's proclamation number 4948 on June 14, 1982. Baltic ...

* June 25, 1987: National Catfish Day * October 6, 1972: National Coaches Day

Notes

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External links