United States federal observances

Observances in the United States
Observances in the United States
	Public • Paid • Federal • Observance • School • Hallmark
Observed by	Federal government
Type	National

Last updated June 02, 2022

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 (36 U.S.C. § 101 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 36 U.S.C. § 114, Congress simply requested the president to issue a proclamation of the observance. They are published at Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1256.; Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1261.; Pub. L. 105–225, Aug. 12, 1998, 112 Stat. 1262.; Pub. L. 107–89, § 1, Dec. 18, 2001, 115 Stat. 876.; and Pub. L. 114–240, § 2(a), Oct. 7, 2016, 130 Stat. 974..

List of observances

Days

Date	Observance	Details	Ref.
January 13 (Fixed)	Stephen Foster Memorial Day	Calls upon the people of the U.S. to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies, pilgrimages to Foster's memorial sites, and musical programs featuring his compositions.	36 U.S.C. § 140
February 1 (Fixed)	National Freedom Day	Commemorates the signing of the Thirteenth Amendment by President Abraham Lincoln on February 1, 1865.	36 U.S.C. § 124
April 13 (Fixed)	Thomas Jefferson's Birthday	Calls upon the people of the U.S. to commemorate Jefferson's birthday in schools, churches, "or other suitable places."	36 U.S.C. § 141
May 1 (Fixed)	Law Day, U.S.A.	For the people of the U.S. to appreciate their liberties under U.S. law by displaying the American flag on all government buildings and appropriate ceremonies in schools "or other suitable places."	36 U.S.C. § 113
May 1 (Fixed)	Loyalty Day	For the people of the U.S. to reaffirm their loyalty to the United States by displaying the American flag on all government buildings and appropriate ceremonies in schools "or other suitable places."	36 U.S.C. § 115
May 1–7 (Floating Thursday)	National Day of Prayer	Sets aside a day on which the people of the U.S. "may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals."	36 U.S.C. § 119
May 8–14 (Floating Sunday)	Mother's Day	Calls upon government officials to display the American flag on all government buildings and upon the people of the U.S. to display the flag at their homes as a public expression of love and reverence for their mothers.	36 U.S.C. § 117
May 15 (Fixed)	Peace Officers Memorial Day	In honor of federal, state, and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty, Congress directs government officials to display the American flag at half-staff and calls upon the people of the U.S. to commemorate the day, including displaying the flag at half-staff.	36 U.S.C. § 136
May 15–21 (Floating Friday)	National Defense Transportation Day	Urges the people of the U.S. in all communities served by the various forms of transportation to recognize the importance of the U.S. transportation infrastructure to their communities in times of conflict and peace.	36 U.S.C. § 120
May 22 (Fixed)	National Maritime Day	Calls upon government officials to display the American flag on all government buildings and upon the people of the U.S. to display the flag at their homes.	36 U.S.C. § 128
May 25–31 (Floating Monday)	Memorial Day	Calls on the people of the U.S. and the media to observe the day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace, at a specific time proclaimed by the president. Memorial Day is also a federal holiday.	36 U.S.C. § 116
June 14 (Fixed)	Flag Day	Calls upon government officials to display the American flag on all government buildings and upon the people of the U.S. to display the flag at their homes in celebration of the flag's official adoption on June 14, 1777.	36 U.S.C. § 110
June 16–22 (Floating Sunday)	Father's Day	Calls upon government officials to display the American flag on all government buildings and upon the people of the U.S. to offer public and private expressions of love and gratitude to their fathers.	36 U.S.C. § 109
July 22–28 (Floating Sunday)	Parents' Day	Calls upon the people of the U.S. to recognize the day through proclamations, activities, and educational efforts that uplift and support the role of parents in raising their children.	36 U.S.C. § 135
July 27 (Fixed)	National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day	Calls upon government officials to display the American flag at half-staff on all government buildings and upon the people of the U.S. to host appropriate celebrations each year until 2003.	36 U.S.C. § 127
August 19 (Fixed)	National Aviation Day	Calls upon government officials to display the American flag at on all government buildings and upon the people of the U.S. to generate interest in aviation in the United States.	36 U.S.C. § 118
September 6–12 (Floating Saturday)	Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day	Calls upon the people of the U.S. to celebrate the day with appropriate cleanup activities. States may move the day if inclement weather takes place on the first Saturday after Labor Day.	36 U.S.C. § 104
September 7–13 (Floating Sunday)	National Grandparents Day	Calls upon the people of the U.S. to celebrate the day with appropriate activities. Takes place the first Sunday after Labor Day.	36 U.S.C. § 125
September 11 (Fixed)	Patriot Day	Calls upon all organizations and people of the U.S. to display the American flag at half-staff in honor of those who lost their lives in the September 11 attacks in 2001.	36 U.S.C. § 144
September 17 (Fixed)	Constitution Day and Citizenship Day	Calls upon civil and educational authorities of state and local governments to celebrate the day by educating the public about their responsibilities and opportunities as citizens of the United States and their respective states and localities.	36 U.S.C. § 106
September 24–30 (Floating Sunday)	Gold Star Mother's Day	Calls upon government officials to display the American flag on all government buildings and upon the people of the U.S. to display the flag at their homes as a public expression of love, sorrow, and reverence for Gold Star mothers.	36 U.S.C. § 111
October 1–8 (Floating Monday)	Child Health Day	Calls upon all agencies and organizations interested in child welfare to make the people of the U.S. aware of the fundamental necessity of a year-round program to protect and develop the health of the children in the United States.	36 U.S.C. § 105
October 9 (Fixed)	Leif Erikson Day	Commemorates Leif Erikson, the Norse explorer.	36 U.S.C. § 114
October 8–14 (Floating Monday)	Columbus Day	Calls upon government officials to display the American flag on all government buildings and upon the people of the U.S. to celebrate the voyages of Christopher Columbus to the Americas. Columbus Day is also a federal holiday.	36 U.S.C. § 107
October 15 (Fixed)	White Cane Safety Day	Calls upon the people of the U.S. to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the white cane.	36 U.S.C. § 142
November 11 (Fixed)	Veterans Day	Calling on the people of the United States to observe two minutes of silence beginning at 11:11 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. Veterans Day is also a federal holiday.	36 U.S.C. § 145
December 7 (Fixed)	National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day	Calls upon all organizations and people of the U.S. to display the American flag at half-staff in honor of those who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.	36 U.S.C. § 129
December 17 (Fixed)	Pan American Aviation Day	Calls upon all organizations and people of the U.S. to stimulate interest in aviation in the United States, advancements in rapid communications, and the cultural development between countries of the Western Hemisphere.	36 U.S.C. § 134
December 17 (Fixed)	Wright Brothers Day	Calls upon the people of the U.S. to celebrate the anniversary of the first successful flights in a heavier-than-air aircraft that were made by the Wright brothers in 1903.	36 U.S.C. § 143

Weeks

Week	Observance	Details	Ref.
First week of March	Save Your Vision Week	Urges the media, health care professions, and other agencies and individuals to support programs to support programs to improve and protect the vision of the people of the U.S. and to convince them of the importance of their vision to their welfare and the welfare of the country.	36 U.S.C. § 138
Third week of March	National Poison Prevention Week	Aims to encourage the people of the U.S. to learn of the dangers of accidental poisoning and to take preventive measures according to the seriousness of the dangers.	36 U.S.C. § 130
Week containing May 15	Police Week	Recognizes of the service given by those who protect the people of the U.S. through law enforcement and invites state governments, local governments, and people to display the American flag at half-staff, among other appropriate activities.	36 U.S.C. § 137
Week containing the third Friday of May	National Transportation Week	Invites the people of the U.S. to commemorate those who move goods and individuals throughout the country.	36 U.S.C. § 133
Week ending on the Friday before Memorial Day	National Safe Boating Week	Invites the people of the U.S. to understand the importance of safe boating practices.	36 U.S.C. § 131
Week containing June 14	National Flag Week	Calls upon the people of the U.S. to display the American flag.	36 U.S.C. § 122
September 17–23	Constitution Week	Invites the people of the U.S. to celebrate the anniversary of the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787.	36 U.S.C. § 108
Week beginning the second Sunday of October	National School Lunch Week	Celebrates the creation of the 1946 federal law that provides low-cost or free school lunch meals to qualifying students.	36 U.S.C. § 132
Week beginning the third Sunday of October	National Forest Products Week	Recognizes the value of forest products and the conservation practices that help responsibly manage the forests of the United States.^[1]	36 U.S.C. § 123

Months

Month	Observance	Details	Ref.
February	American Heart Month	Urges the people of the U.S. to recognize the nationwide problem of heart-related diseases and to support programs required to solve the problem.	36 U.S.C. § 101
April	Cancer Control Month	Invites the medical profession, media, and all others interested in a national program for the control of cancer to unite and make the people of the U.S. aware of the need for a program.	36 U.S.C. § 103
May	Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month	Calls upon the people of the U.S. to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.	36 U.S.C. § 102
May	Steelmark Month	Calls upon the people of the U.S. to recognize the contribution made by the iron and steel industry to national security and defense.	36 U.S.C. § 139
September 15 – October 15	National Hispanic Heritage Month	Calls upon the people of the U.S. to recognize the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.	36 U.S.C. § 126
October	National Disability Employment Awareness Month	Aims to garner public support for and interest in the employment of workers with disabilities who are otherwise qualified.	36 U.S.C. § 121

Other

Period	Observance	Notes	Ref.
Flag Day through Independence Day (21 days)	Honor America Days	Congress declares that there be public gatherings and activities for the people of the U.S. to honor the United States.	36 U.S.C. § 112

Related Research Articles

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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 year. The event is sponsored by the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and is implemented by the FOP Memorial Committee.

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Women's Equality Day is celebrated in the United States on August 26 to commemorate the 1920 adoption of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which prohibits the states and the federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex. It was first celebrated in 1971, designated by Congress in 1973, and is proclaimed each year by the United States President.

A presidential proclamation is a statement issued by a US president on an issue of public policy and is a type of presidential directive.

Child Health Day is a United States Federal Observance Day observed on the first Monday in October.

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 during the Vietnam War. National Vietnam War Veterans Day is March 29, the date in 1973 when the last US combat troops departed the Republic of Vietnam.

On August 3, 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month, thereafter commonly referred to as Native American Heritage Month. The bill read in part that "the President has authorized and requested to call upon Federal, State and local Governments, groups and organizations and the people of the United States to observe such month with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities". This landmark bill honoring America's tribal people represented a major step in the establishment of this celebration which began in 1976 when a Cherokee/Osage Indian named Jerry C. Elliott-High Eagle authored Native American Awareness Week legislation the first historical week of recognition in the nation for native peoples. This led to 1986 with then President Ronald Reagan proclaiming November 23–30, 1986, as "American Indian Week".

References

↑ "National Forest Products Week". American Wood Council . Retrieved July 2, 2021.

External links

National Health Observances , Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, US Department of Health and Human Services.

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[1] "National Forest Products Week". American Wood Council . Retrieved July 2, 2021.

[1]

v t e Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States
January	New Year's Day (federal) Martin Luther King Jr. Day (federal) Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos (PR) Confederate Heroes Day (TX) Eve of Three Kings' Day (PR, religious) Feast of Epiphany / Feast of Theophany (religious) Fred Korematsu Day (AZ, CA, FL, HI, VA) Idaho Human Rights Day (ID) Inauguration Day (federal quadrennial) Kansas Day (KS) Makar Sankranti / Pongal (religious) Robert E. Lee Day (FL) Stephen Foster Memorial Day (36) The Eighth (LA) Three Kings' Day (PR, VI, religious) World Religion Day (religious)
January–February	Super Bowl Sunday Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year (NY, cultural, religious) Vasant Panchami (religious)
February American Heart Month Black History Month	Washington's Birthday (federal) Valentine's Day Birthday of Luis Muñoz Marín (PR) Candlemas (religious) Charles Darwin Day / Darwin Day (CA, DE) Day of Remembrance (CA, OR, WA, cultural) Georgia Day (GA) Groundhog Day Imbolc (religious) Lincoln's Birthday (CA, CT, IL, IN, MO, NY, WV) National Girls and Women in Sports Day National Freedom Day (36) Nirvana Day (religious) Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple (religious) Promised Reformer Day (religious) Ronald Reagan Day (CA) Rosa Parks Day (CA, MO) Saviours' Day (religious) Susan B. Anthony Day (CA, FL, NY, WI, WV, proposed federal) Tu B’shvat (religious)
February–March	Mardi Gras Ash Wednesday (PR, religious) Carnival (PR, VI, religious) Clean Monday (religious) Courir de Mardi Gras (religious) Intercalary Days (religious) Mahashivaratri (religious) Purim (religious) Shrove Tuesday (religious) Super Tuesday
March Irish-American Heritage Month Colon Cancer Awareness Month Women's History Month	Saint Patrick's Day (religious) Spring break (week) Annunciation of the Virgin Mary / Annunciation of the Theotokos (religious) Casimir Pulaski Day (IL) Cesar Chavez Day (CA, CO, TX, proposed federal) Emancipation Day in Puerto Rico (PR, cultural) Evacuation Day (Suffolk County, MA) Harriet Tubman Day (NY) Hola Mohalla (religious) Holi (NY, religious) L. Ron Hubbard’s Birthday (religious) Lailat al-Mi'raj (religious) Liberation and Freedom Day (Charlottesville, VA, cultural) Mardi Gras (AL (in two counties), LA) Maryland Day (MD) National Poison Prevention Week (week) Nowruz (cultural, religious) Ostara (religious) Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Day (HI) Promised Messiah Day (religious) Saint Joseph's Day (religious) Seward's Day (AK) Texas Independence Day (TX) Town Meeting Day (VT) Transfer Day (VI)
March–April	Easter (religious) Good Friday (CT, NC, PR, NJ, VI, religious) Hanuman Jayanti (religious) Holy Thursday (PR, VI, religious) Holy Week (PR, religious, week) Lazarus Saturday (religious) Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (religious) Mesha Sankranti / Hindu New Year (religious) Palm Sunday (PR, religious) Passover (religious) Easter Monday / Bright Monday (VI religious) Ramnavami (religious) Chandramana Yugadi / Souramana Yugadi (religious)
April Arab American Heritage Month Confederate History Month	420 April Fools' Day Arbor Day Birthday of José de Diego (PR) Confederate Memorial Day (AL, MS) Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust (week) Earth Day Emancipation Day (cultural) Thomas Jefferson's Birthday (AL) Lag B’Omer (religious) Last Friday of Great Lent (religious) Laylat al-Qadr (religious) Pascua Florida (FL) Patriots' Day (MA, ME) Ridván (religious) San Jacinto Day (TX) Siblings Day Walpurgis Night (religious) Yom Ha'atzmaut (cultural, religious)
May Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month	Memorial Day (federal) Mother's Day (36) Cinco de Mayo Ascension of Baháʼu'lláh (religious) Ascension of Our Lord (religious) Caliphate Day (religious) Declaration of the Bab (religious) Harvey Milk Day (CA) International Workers' Day / May Day (CA, unofficial, proposed state) Law Day (36) Loyalty Day (36) Malcolm X Day (CA, IL, proposed federal) Military Spouse Day National Day of Prayer (36) National Day of Reason National Defense Transportation Day (36) National Maritime Day (36) Peace Officers Memorial Day (36) Pentecost (religious) Shavuot (religious) Truman Day (MO) Vesak / Buddha's Birthday (religious)
June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month	Juneteenth (federal, cultural) Father's Day (36) Bunker Hill Day (Suffolk County, MA) Carolina Day (SC) Fast of the Holy Apostles (religious) Flag Day (36, proposed federal) Helen Keller Day (PA) Honor America Days (3 weeks) Jefferson Davis Day (AL, FL) Kamehameha Day (HI) Litha (religious) Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib (religious) Odunde Festival (Philadelphia, PA, cultural) Senior Week (week) Saint John's Day (PR, religious) West Virginia Day (WV)
July	Independence Day (federal) Asalha Puja Day (religious) Birthday of Don Luis Muñoz Rivera (PR) Birthday of Dr. José Celso Barbosa (PR) Emancipation Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands (VI, cultural) Guru Purnima (religious) Khordad Sal (religious) Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (HI, unofficial, cultural) Martyrdom of the Báb (religious) Parents' Day (36) Pioneer Day (UT) Puerto Rico Constitution Day (PR)
July–August	Summer vacation Tisha B'Av (religious)
August	American Family Day (AZ) Barack Obama Day in Illinois (IL) Bennington Battle Day (VT) Dormition of the Theotokos (religious) Eid-e-Ghadeer (religious) Fast in Honor of the Holy Mother of Lord Jesus (religious) Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (religious) Hawaii Admission Day / Statehood Day (HI) Krishna Janmashtami (religious) Lammas (religious) Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (TX) Naga Panchami (religious) National Aviation Day (36) Paryushana (religious) Raksha Bandhan (religious) Transfiguration of the Lord (religious) Victory Day (RI) Women's Equality Day (36)
September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Childhood Cancer Awareness Month	Labor Day (federal) Brazilian Day (NY, cultural) California Admission Day (CA) Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day (36) Constitution Day (36) Constitution Week (week) Defenders Day (MD) Elevation of the Holy Cross (religious) Feast of San Gennaro (NY, cultural, religious) Ganesh Chaturthi (religious) Gold Star Mother's Day (36) His Holiness Sakya Trizin’s Birthday (religious) Mabon (religious) National Grandparents Day (36) National Payroll Week (week) Nativity of Mary / Nativity of the Theotokos (religious) Native American Day (proposed federal) Patriot Day (36)
September–October Hispanic Heritage Month	Chehlum Imam Hussain (religious) Oktoberfest Pitri Paksha (religious) Rosh Hashanah / Feast of Trumpets (TX, NY, religious) Shemini Atzeret (religious) Simchat Torah (religious) Vijaya Dashami (religious) Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement (TX, NY, religious)
October Breast Cancer Awareness Month Disability Employment Awareness Month Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month Filipino American History Month LGBT History Month	Columbus Day (federal) Halloween Alaska Day (AK) Child Health Day (36) General Pulaski Memorial Day German-American Day Indigenous Peoples' Day (VT) International Day of Non-Violence Leif Erikson Day (36) Missouri Day (MO) Nanomonestotse (cultural) National School Lunch Week (week) Native American Day in South Dakota (SD) Nevada Day (NV) Spirit Day (cultural) Sweetest Day Sukkot / Feast of Tabernacles (religious) Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico Friendship Day (PR, VI) White Cane Safety Day (36)
October–November	Birth of the Báb (religious) Birth of Baháʼu'lláh (religious) Day of the Dead (VI) Diwali (NY, religious) Mawlid al-Nabi (religious)
November Native American Indian Heritage Month	Veterans Day (federal) Thanksgiving (federal) Ascension of ‘Abdu’l Baha (religious) All Saints' Day (religious) Beginning of the Nativity Fast (religious) Beltane / Samhain (religious) Barack Obama Day in Alabama (Perry County, AL) D. Hamilton Jackson Day (VI) Day after Thanksgiving (24) Day of the Covenant (religious) Discovery of Puerto Rico Day (PR) Election Day (CA, DE, HI, KY, MT, NJ, NY, OH, PR, VA, WV, proposed federal) Family Day (NV) Guru Nanak Gurpurab (religious) Hanukkah (religious) Lā Kūʻokoʻa (HI, unofficial, cultural) Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (religious) Native American Heritage Day (MD, WA, cultural) Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple (religious) Unthanksgiving Day (cultural)
December	Christmas (religious, federal) New Year's Eve Advent Sunday (religious) Alabama Day (AL) Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib (religious) Bodhi Day (religious) Chalica (religious) Christmas Eve (KY, NC, SC, PR, VI) Day after Christmas (KY, NC, SC, TX, VI) Festivus HumanLight Hanukkah (religious, week) Immaculate Conception (religious) Indiana Day (IN) Kwanzaa (cultural, week) Milad Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (religious) National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (36) Nativity of Jesus (religious) Old Year's Night (VI) Pan American Aviation Day (36) Pancha Ganapati (religious, week) Rosa Parks Day (OH, OR) Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (religious) Wright Brothers Day (36) Yule (religious) Zartosht No-Diso (religious)
Varies (year round)	Eid al-Adha (NY, religious) Eid al-Fitr (NY, religious) Islamic New Year (religious) Yawm al-Arafa (religious) Hajj (religious) Navaratri (religious, four times a year) Obon (religious) Onam (religious) Ramadan (religious, month) Ghost Festival (religious) Yawm Aashura (religious)
Legend: (federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies See also: Lists of holidays, Hallmark holidays, Public holidays in the United States, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.