Synopsis: List of annual awareness and observance dates including days, weeks and months, as recognized by U.S. presidential proclamation. United States law provides for the declaration of selected public observances by the President as designated by Congress or the discretion of the President.
Introduction
What Are U.S. Presidential Proclamations?
A U.S. presidential proclamation is a statement issued by the United States President on an issue of public policy, and is in a way a Presidential directive.
Main Item
All proclamations are first published in the Federal Register and compiled annually in Title 3 of the Code of Federal Regulations. The Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents and United States Code Congressional and Administrative News also publish presidential proclamations.
A presidential proclamation is an instrument that either:
Declares a law and requires obedience
Recognizes an event
States a condition
Triggers implementation of a law, by recognizing that the circumstances described in the law have been realized
Unless authorized by U.S. Congress, a President's proclamation does not have the force of law. If Congress were to pass an act that would take effect upon the happening of a contingent event, and subsequently the President proclaimed that the event happened, then the proclamation would have the force of law.
Difference Between Proclamations and Executive Orders
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Proclamations - Proclamations are the oldest form of presidential directive, and in theory the most sweeping. They are often directed at citizens - not just government officials - and may call on them to take a specific action.
Executive Orders - Like proclamations, executive orders have the force of law - but only on the executive branch. They're also numbered and published in the Federal Register. Presidents use them to establish councils and commissions, set administration-wide policy on hiring or purchasing, or give federal employees a day off.
Special Dates
United States law also provides for the declaration of selected public observances by the President as designated by Congress or the discretion of the President. Generally the President will provide a statement about the purpose and significance of the observance date and/or occasion, and call on the people of the United States to observe the day "with appropriate ceremonies and activities". Listed below are annual special dates as recognized by U.S. presidential proclamation.
Awareness Dates: Days - Weeks - Months - List of major awareness dates and commemorative observance days weeks and months that focus on health medical and disability research or ethical causes of importance.
U.N. International Awareness and Commemorative Dates - List of International days of observance established by the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Notable LGBT Awareness Dates and Events - List of important LGBT+ community awareness remembrance dates and coming events in respect to sexual orientation, gender identity, transgenderism, transsexualism, and intersexuality.
Author Credentials: Ian was born and grew up in Australia. Since then, he has traveled and lived in numerous locations and currently resides in Montreal, Canada. Ian is the founder, a writer, and editor in chief for Disabled World. Ian believes in the Social Model of Disability, a belief developed by disabled people in the 1970s. The social model changes the focus away from people's impairments and towards removing barriers that disabled people face daily. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and achievements, check out his bio.
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Cite This Page: Disabled World. (2018, December 20 - Last revised: 2023, May 28). List of U.S. Presidential Proclamation Dates. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved April 20, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/disability/awareness/observance-dates.php
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