List of observances in the United States by presidential proclamation

US law provides for the declaration of selected public observances by the President of the United States as designated by Congress or by the discretion of the President. Generally the president will provide a reasoning behind the elevation of the day, 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 commorate a public issue or social cause, ethnic group, historic event or noted indivdual. 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 a "Federal holiday".

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 US Presidents and Justices of the Supreme Court and after major tragic events or disasters with serious causalties.

Special days recognized by presidential proclamation

BOLD indicates public holiday-most government services and major businesses closed.

*Religious Freedom Day (January 16)
*Martin Luther King Federal Holiday (third Monday in January)
*National Sanctity of Human Life Day (third Sunday in January)
*Education and Sharing day (March or April)
*Greek Independence Day (March 25)
*National D.A.R.E. Day (second Thursday in April)
*Pan American Day and week (April 14 and week thereof)
*Armenian Remembrance Day (April 24)Although not officially proclaimed by the President, it is typical for the President to issue a statement recogizing the events in Armenia and their aftermath.]
*Loyalty Day (May 1)
*Law Day, U.S.A. (May 1)
*National Day of Prayer (first Thursday in May)
*Mother's Day (second Sunday in May)
*National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week (third Friday in May and week thereof)
*National Maritime Day (May 22)
*Prayer for Peace, Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
*National Child's Day (first Monday in June)
*Flag Day, and National Flag Week (June 14 and week thereof)
*Father's Day (third Sunday in June)
*Parent's Day (last Sunday in July)
*National Airborne Day (August 16)
*Women's Equality Day (August 26)
*Patriot Day (September 11)
*National POW/MIA Recognition Day (Third Friday in September)
*Citizenship Day and Constitution Week (September 17 and week thereof)
*Family Day (fourth Monday in September)
*Gold Star Mother's Day (last Sunday in September)
*Child Health Day (first Monday in October)
*German-American Day (October 6)
*Columbus Day (second Monday in October)
*Leif Erikson Day (October 9)
*General Pulaski Memorial Day (October 11)
*White Cane Safety Day (October 15)
*United Nations Day (October 24)
*World Freedom Day (November 9)
*Veterans Day (November 11)Obeserved as Armistice Day from 1919-54. Between 1968-75, observed on fourth Monday of October.]
*America Recycles Day (November 15)
*Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)Oldest proclaimed observance in US history, dating back to 1863 with Abraham Lincoln.]
*World AIDS Day (December 1)
*National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7)
*Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week (December 10 and week beginning of)
*Bill of Rights Day (December 15)
*Wright Brothers Day (December 17)

Special weeks recognized by presidential proclamation

*National Consumer Protection Week (first week of February)
*Save Your Vision Week (first week of March)
*National Poison Prevention Week (third week of March)
*National Volunteer Week (last week of April)
*National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April)
*National Park Week (last week of April)
*World Trade Week (third week of May)
*National Hurricane Preparedness Week (third week in May)
*National Safe Boating Week (week prior to Memorial Day)
*Captive Nations Week (third week of July)
*Minority Enterprise Development Week (September)
*National Farm Safety and Health Week (third week of September)
*National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week (September)
*Fire Prevention Week (week of October 9)
*National School Lunch Week (week of the second Sunday in October)
*National Forest Products Week (week of the third Sunday in October)
*National Character Counts Week (third week in October)
*National Farm-City Week (week prior to Thanksgiving)
*National Family Week (week of Thanksgiving)

Special months recognized by presidential proclamation

*American Heart Month (February)
*Black History Month (February)
*American Red Cross Month (March)
*Women's History Month (March)
*Irish-American Heritage Month (March)
*Cancer Control Month (April)
*National Donate Life Month (April)
*Prevent Child Abuse Month (April)
*Older Americans Month (May)
*Jewish American Heritage Month (May)Observed beginning 2006, formerly "Jewish Heritage Week"]
*Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May)Observed as Asian Pacfic American Hertitage Week until 1992.]
*Mental Health Awaremenss Month (May)
*Gay and Lesbian Pride Month (June)
*Caribbean-American Heritage Month (June) [http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/2005/06/28/approves.shtml] , [http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/cgi-script/csArticles/articles/000019/001954.htm] , [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/06/20060605-6.html]
*Great Outdoors Month (June)
*Black Music Month (June)
*National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (September)
*National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (September)
*National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15)Observed as National Hispanic Hertiage Week beginning in 1968, became a month-long event in 1989]
*National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)
*National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October)
*National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October)
*National Hospice Month (November)
*National Adoption Month (November)
*National Family Caregivers Month (November)
*National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month (November)
*National Diabetes Month (November)
*National American Indian Heritage Month (November)
*National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month (December)

Notes

See also

*Holidays of the United States
*Federal holidays

External links

* [http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title36/subtitlei_parta_chapter1_.html United States Code Title 36, Subtitle I, Part A, Chapter 1: Patriotic and National Observances]
* [http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/proclamations.php Proclamations from Washington to Bush (1789-present) at the American Presidency Project]