United States federal observances
Encyclopedia
United States federal observances are days, weeks, months, or other periods designated by the United States Congress
for the commemoration or other observance of various events, activities, or topics. These observances differ from Federal holidays in that Federal employees only receive a day free from work on holidays, not observances. Federal observances that are designated by Congress
appear in Title 36 of the United States Code
( et seq.). Below is a list of all observances so designated. Note that not all of the laws below require that the observance be declared, in some cases, such as , Congress simply requested the President to issue a proclamation of the observance.
The President may also declare selected Federal observances by presidential proclamation. Those observances are referenced at the List of observances in the United States by presidential proclamation.
(First Saturday after Labor Day) — Child Health Day
(The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Monday in October as Child Health Day) — Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
(September 17) — Columbus Day
(The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation designating the second Monday in October as Columbus Day.) — Father's Day
(Third Sunday in June) — Flag Day
(June 14) — Gold Star Mother's Day (Last Sunday in September) — Law Day, U.S.A.
(May 1) — Leif Erikson Day
(The President may issue each year a proclamation designating October 9 as Leif Erikson Day.) — Loyalty Day
(May 1) — Memorial Day
— Mother's Day
(Second Sunday in May) — National Aviation Day
(August 19) — National Day of Prayer
(First Thursday in May) — National Defense Transportation Day
(The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation designating the third Friday in May as National Defense Transportation Day.) — National Freedom Day
(February 1) — National Grandparents' Day
(The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Sunday in September after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day.) — National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (July 27 of each year until 2003) — National Maritime Day
(May 22) — National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
(December 7) — Pan American Aviation Day
(The President may issue each year a proclamation designating December 17 as Pan American Aviation Day.) — Parents' Day
(Fourth Sunday in July) — Peace Officers Memorial Day
(The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of Federal, State, and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.) — Stephen Foster Memorial Day
(The President may issue each year a proclamation designating January 13 Stephen Foster Memorial Day.) — Thomas Jefferson's birthday
(April 13) — White Cane Safety Day
(The President may issue each year a proclamation designating October 15 as White Cane Safety Day.) — Wright Brothers Day
(December 17) — Patriot Day
(September 11)
(February)
http://www.healthfinder.gov/nho/nhoyear.asp?year=2010
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
for the commemoration or other observance of various events, activities, or topics. These observances differ from Federal holidays in that Federal employees only receive a day free from work on holidays, not observances. Federal observances that are designated by Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
appear in Title 36 of the United States Code
United States Code
The Code of Laws of the United States of America is a compilation and codification of the general and permanent federal laws of the United States...
( et seq.). Below is a list of all observances so designated. Note that not all of the laws below require that the observance be declared, in some cases, such as , Congress simply requested the President to issue a proclamation of the observance.
The President may also declare selected Federal observances by presidential proclamation. Those observances are referenced at the List of observances in the United States by presidential proclamation.
Days
— Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup DayCarl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day
Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day is a day observed in the United States to encourage nationwide citizen participation in the cleanup of federal lands. It occurs on the first Saturday after Labor Day, and may include a variety of programs, ceremonies, and activities...
(First Saturday after Labor Day) — Child Health Day
Child Health Day
Child Health Day is a United States Federal Observance Day observed on the first Monday in October. According to 36 U.S.C. § 105, on Child Health Day the president invites "all agencies and organizations interested in child welfare to unite on Child Health Day in observing exercises that will make...
(The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Monday in October as Child Health Day) — Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
Constitution Day (United States)
Constitution Day is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed on September 17, the day the U.S...
(September 17) — Columbus Day
Columbus Day
Many countries in the New World and elsewhere celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the Americas, which occurred on October 12, 1492, as an official holiday...
(The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation designating the second Monday in October as Columbus Day.) — Father's Day
Father's Day
Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June but it is also celebrated widely on other days...
(Third Sunday in June) — Flag Day
Flag Day
A flag day is a flag-related holiday—either a day designated for flying a certain flag , or a day set aside to celebrate a historical event such as a nation's adoption of its flag....
(June 14) — Gold Star Mother's Day (Last Sunday in September) — Law Day, U.S.A.
Law Day, U.S.A.
On May 1 the United States celebrates Law Day, U.S.A.. It is meant to reflect on the role of law in the foundation of the country and to recognize its importance for society.- History :Long before President Dwight D...
(May 1) — Leif Erikson Day
Leif Erikson Day
Leif Erikson Day is an annual American observance occurring on October 9. It honors Leif Ericson , the Norse explorer who brought the first Europeans known to have set foot in North America....
(The President may issue each year a proclamation designating October 9 as Leif Erikson Day.) — Loyalty Day
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.- History :...
(May 1) — Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
— Mother's Day
Mother's Day (United States)
In the United States, Mother's Day is an annual holiday celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Mother's Day recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well the positive contributions that they make to society....
(Second Sunday in May) — National Aviation Day
National Aviation Day
The National Aviation Day is a United States national observation that celebrates the development of aviation.The holiday was established in 1939 by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who issued a presidential proclamation which designated the anniversary of Orville Wright's birthday to be National...
(August 19) — National Day of Prayer
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". Each year, the president signs a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day...
(First Thursday in May) — National Defense Transportation Day
National Defense Transportation Day
National Defense Transportation Day is a United States Federal Observance Day observed on the third Friday in May. According to 36 U.S.C. § 120, on National Defense Transportation Day, the president urges "the people of the United States, including labor, management, users, and investors, in all...
(The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation designating the third Friday in May as National Defense Transportation Day.) — National Freedom Day
National Freedom Day
National Freedom Day is a United States observance on February 1 honoring the signing by Abraham Lincoln of a joint House and Senate resolution that later became the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution...
(February 1) — National Grandparents' Day
National Grandparents' Day
National Grandparents Day is a secular holiday celebrated in the United States since 1978 and officially recognized in a number of countries on various days of the year, either as one holiday or sometimes as a separate Grandmothers Day and Grandfathers Day .-History:Marian McQuade of Oak Hill, West...
(The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation designating the first Sunday in September after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day.) — National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (July 27 of each year until 2003) — National Maritime Day
National Maritime Day
National Maritime Day is a United States holiday created to recognize the maritime industry. It is observed on May 22, the date that the American steamship Savannah set sail from Savannah, Georgia on the first ever transoceanic voyage under steam power. The holiday was created by the United States...
(May 22) — National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, which is observed annually on December 7, is to remember and honor all those who died in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. On August 23, 1994, United States Congress, by , designated December 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day...
(December 7) — Pan American Aviation Day
Pan American Aviation Day
Pan American Aviation Day is a United States Federal Observance Day observed December 17. According to 36 U.S.C. § 134, on Pan American Aviation Day the president calls on "calling on all officials of the United States Government, the chief executive offices of the States, territories, and...
(The President may issue each year a proclamation designating December 17 as Pan American Aviation Day.) — Parents' Day
Parents' Day
Parents' Day is a holiday similar to a combination of Father's Day and Mother's Day.-In the United States:In the United States, Parents' Day is held on the fourth Sunday of every July...
(Fourth Sunday in July) — Peace Officers Memorial Day
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. The Memorial takes place on May 15, and Police Week is the calendar week in which the Memorial falls....
(The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of Federal, State, and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.) — Stephen Foster Memorial Day
Stephen Foster Memorial Day
Stephen Foster Memorial Day is a United States Federal Observance Day observed on January 13. According to 36 U.S.C. § 140, Steven Foster Memorial Day celebrates the life of American songwriter Stephen Foster. The date commemorates date that Foster died....
(The President may issue each year a proclamation designating January 13 Stephen Foster Memorial Day.) — Thomas Jefferson's birthday
Thomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
(April 13) — White Cane Safety Day
White Cane Safety Day
thumb|upright|A long white cane, the symbol of White Cane Safety DayWhite Cane Safety Day is a national observance in the United States, celebrated on October 15 of each year since 1964...
(The President may issue each year a proclamation designating October 15 as White Cane Safety Day.) — Wright Brothers Day
Wright Brothers Day
Wright Brothers Day 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, that were made by Orville and Wilbur Wright on December 17, 1903, near Kitty Hawk, North...
(December 17) — Patriot Day
Patriot Day
In the United States, Patriot Day occurs on September 11 of each year, designated in memory of the 2,977 killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Most Americans who were alive during the events refer to the day as "Nine-Eleven ", "September Eleventh", or some variation thereof...
(September 11)
Weeks
- Constitution Week
- National Flag Week
- National Forest Products Week
- National Poison Prevention Week
- National Safe Boating Week
- Save Your Vision Week
Months
— American Heart MonthAmerican 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— designating February as American Heart Month; inviting the chief executive officers of the States, territories, and possessions...
(February)
- Black History MonthBlack History MonthBlack History Month is an observance of the history of the African diaspora in a number of countries outside of Africa. Since 1976, it is observed annually in the United States and Canada in February, while in the United Kingdom it is observed in October...
(February) - National Nutrition Month (March)
- Confederate History MonthConfederate History MonthConfederate History Month is a month annually designated by six state governments in the Southern United States for the purpose of recognizing and honoring the history of the Confederate States of America...
(April) — Cancer Control Month (April) - Child Abuse Prevention Month (April) — Asian Pacific American Heritage MonthAsian Pacific American Heritage MonthAsian Pacific American Heritage Month , officially proclaimed "Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" by President Barack Obama, is a celebration of the culture, traditions, and history of Asians Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States...
(May) — Steelmark Month (May) — honors the steel industry - Gay and Lesbian Pride MonthGay and Lesbian Pride MonthGay and Lesbian Pride Month is celebrated each year for the month of June. The last Sunday in June is celebrated as Gay Pride Day. On June 2, 2000, President Bill Clinton declared June "Gay & Lesbian Pride Month". In 2009, 2010, and 2011 U.S...
(June) — National Hispanic Heritage MonthNational Hispanic Heritage MonthNational Hispanic Heritage Month is the period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States, when people recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate the group's heritage and culture....
(September 15 through October 15) - Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) — National Disability Employment Awareness MonthNational Disability Employment Awareness MonthNational Disability Employment Awareness Month was declared in 1988 by the United States Congress for October to raise awareness the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. The month is an extension of "National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week"...
(October) - Native American Heritage Month (November)
External links
- 2010 National Health Observances, National Health Information Center, Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, DC.
http://www.healthfinder.gov/nho/nhoyear.asp?year=2010