U.S. Presidential Proclamation Dates for National Observances
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2018/12/20 - Updated: 2025/05/01
Publication Type: Awareness, Appreciation
Category Topic: Disability Awareness - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information provides a comprehensive overview of U.S. presidential proclamations that designate specific days, weeks, and months for national observance, many of which highlight issues pertinent to disability awareness, civil rights, and public health. It outlines the legal and procedural framework behind these proclamations, distinguishing them from executive orders, and explains how such declarations are published and codified. The resource is particularly valuable for educators, advocates, and community organizers seeking to align their initiatives with nationally recognized observances. By detailing these dates, it aids in planning events and campaigns that resonate with broader national efforts to promote inclusion and accessibility. The information is authoritative, drawing from official government publications and legal codes, ensuring accuracy and relevance for those engaged in advocacy and public policy - Disabled World (DW).
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. 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.
Main Content
Difference Between Proclamations and Executive Orders
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.
U.S. Presidential Proclamation List of Observance Dates
Jump To:
U.S. Presidential Proclamation Days
January
- January 16 - Religious Freedom Day
- 3rd Monday in January - Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday
- 3rd Sunday in January - U.S. Sanctity of Human Life Day
February
- February 15 - Susan B. Anthony Day
March
- March 25 - Greek Independence Day
- March 31 - Cesar Chavez Day
April
- 2nd Thursday in April - U.S. D.A.R.E. Day
- April 9 - U.S. Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
- April 14 - Pan American Day and Pan American Week
May
- May 1 - Loyalty Day
- May 1 - Law Day, U.S.A.
- May 15 - Peace Officer Memorial Day
- 1st Thursday in May - U.S. Day of Prayer
- 2nd Friday in May - Military Spouses Day
- 2nd Sunday in May - Mother's Day
- 3rd Friday in May - U.S. Defense Transportation Day and U.S. Transportation Week
- 3rd Saturday in May - Armed Forces Day
- May 22 - U.S. Maritime Day
- May 25 - U.S. Missing Children's Day
- Last Monday in May - Memorial Day
June
- 1st Monday in June - U.S. Child's Day
- June 14 - Flag Day and U.S. Flag Week
- 3rd Sunday in June - Father's Day
July
- July 27 - U.S. Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
- Last Sunday in July - Parent's Day
August
- August 16 - U.S. Airborne Day
- August 26 - Women's Equality Day
September
- Weekend before September 11 - U.S. Days of Prayer and Remembrance
- September 11 - Patriot Day
- September 11 - Emergency Number Day
- 3rd Friday in September U.S. POW/MIA Recognition Day
- September 17 - Citizenship Day and Constitution Week
- September 22 - American Business Women's Day
- September 28 - U.S. Good Neighbor Day
- 4th Monday in September - Family Day
- Last Sunday in September - Gold Star Mother's Day
October
- 1st Monday in October - Child Health Day
- October 6 - German-American Day
- 2nd Monday in October - Columbus Day
- October 9 - Leif Erikson Day
- October 11 - General Pulaski Memorial Day
- October 15 - White Cane Safety Day
- October 24 - United Nations Day
November
- November 9 - World Freedom Day
- November 11 - Veterans Day
- November 15 - U.S. Philanthropy Day
- November 15 - America Recycles Day
- 4th Thursday in November - Thanksgiving Day
- Friday after Thanksgiving - Native American Heritage Day
December
- December 1 - World AIDS Day
- December 3 - International Day of Persons with Disabilities
- December 7 - U.S. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
- December 10 - Human Rights Day and Human Rights Week
- December 15 - Bill of Rights Day
- December 17 - Wright Brothers Day
U.S. Presidential Proclamation Weeks
March
- 1st week of March - Save Your Vision Week
- 3rd week of March - U.S. Poison Prevention Week
April
- Last week of April - U.S. Volunteer Week
- Varies in April - Crime Victims' Rights Week
- Last week of April - U.S. Park Week
May
- Third week of May - World Trade Week
- Third week of May - U.S. Hurricane Preparedness Week
- Week prior to Memorial Day - U.S. Safe Boating Week
July
- Third week of July - Captive Nations Week
August
- August 16th-22nd - U.S. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Week
September
- Varies in September - Minority Enterprise Development Week
- 3rd week of September - U.S. Farm Safety and Health Week
- Varies in September - U.S. Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week
October
- Week of October 9 - Fire Prevention Week
- Week of 2nd Sunday in October - U.S. School Lunch Week
- Week of 3rd Sunday in October - U.S. Forest Products Week
- 3rd week in October - U.S. Character Counts Week
- Week prior to Thanksgiving - U.S. Farm-City Week
- Week of Thanksgiving - U.S. Family Week
U.S. Presidential Proclamation Months
January
- U.S. Mentoring Month
- Stalking Awareness Month
- Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
February
- American Heart Month
- Black History Month
March
- American Red Cross Month
- Women's History Month
- Irish-American Heritage Month
April
- Cancer Control Month
- U.S. Donate Life Month
- Prevent Child Abuse Month
- U.S. Sexual Assault Awareness Month
- U.S. Financial Literacy Month
May
- Older Americans Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- U.S. Physical Fitness and Sports Month
- U.S. Foster Care Month
June
- Gay and Lesbian Pride Month
- Caribbean-American Heritage Month
- Great Outdoors Month
- U.S. Oceans Month
- Black Music Month
July
- U.S. Ice Cream Month
September
- Childhood Cancer Awareness
- Hydrocephalus Awareness Month
- U.S. Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month
- SU.S. Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
- U.S. Wilderness Month
- U.S. Preparedness Month
- U.S. Childhood Obesity Awareness Month
- September 15 to October 15 - U.S. Hispanic Heritage Month
October
- U.S. Information Literacy Awareness Month
- Italian American Heritage and Culture Month
- U.S. Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- U.S. Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- U.S. Arts and Humanities Month
- U.S. Disability Employment Awareness Month
- U.S. Cyber Security Awareness Month
- U.S. Energy Awareness Month
November
- U.S. Entrepreneurship Month
- Military Family Month
- U.S. Bone Marrow Donor Awareness Month
- U.S. Hospice Month
- U.S. Adoption Month
- U.S. Family Caregivers Month
- U.S. Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month
- U.S. Diabetes Month
- U.S. American Indian Heritage Month
December
- U.S. Impaired Driving Prevention Month
- U.S. Critical Infrastructure Protection Month
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: Presidential proclamations, while not laws themselves, reflect shifting societal priorities and provide a framework for collective action. Recognizing and participating in nationally proclaimed observance days serves as a powerful reminder of the collective commitment to inclusivity and the acknowledgment of diverse communities. These proclamations not only honor historical milestones and achievements but also spotlight ongoing challenges and the need for continued advocacy. For individuals and organizations dedicated to social justice and equity, aligning activities with these observances can amplify their impact and foster a more inclusive society - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.