Commemorative Observances: A Chronological List

Commemorative Observances:
A Chronological List
Updated August 29, 2006
Judith B. Frazier-Thompson
Humanities Consulting Section
Knowledge Services Group



Commemorative Observances:
A Chronological List
Summary
Historically, national commemorative observances were often recommended by
Congress through the legislative process. This practice was for the most part
discontinued by the House of Representatives in January 1995, although the Senate
continues to issue sense of the Senate resolutions recommending the establishment
of commemoratives. It has now become standard practice for special observances
to be designated by a proclamation issued by the President. A noteworthy departure
from current congressional policy is P.L. 107-89, which designates September 11 as
Patriot Day and allows the President to issue an annual proclamation calling on the
American people to commemorate Patriot Day. This report is a chronological list of
proclamations for the years 2004 through early 2006, indicating the proclamation
number and its Federal Register citation. This report will be updated periodically
during the year. This report was previously authored by JoAnne O’Bryant.



Contents
In troduction ......................................................1
2006 ............................................................2
January ......................................................2
February .....................................................2
March .......................................................2
April ........................................................2
May ........................................................3
June ........................................................4
Decade ......................................................4
2005 ............................................................4
January ......................................................4
February .....................................................5
March .......................................................5
April ........................................................5
May ........................................................6
June ........................................................7
July .........................................................7
August ......................................................7
September ...................................................7
October ......................................................8
November ....................................................9
Decem ber ....................................................9
2004 ...........................................................10
January .....................................................10
February ....................................................10
March ......................................................10
April .......................................................10
May .......................................................11
June .......................................................12
July ........................................................12
August .....................................................12
September ..................................................12
October .....................................................13
November ...................................................14
Decem ber ...................................................14



Commemorative Observances:
A Chronological List
Introduction
Historically, national commemorative observances were often recommended by
Congress through the legislative process. This practice was for the most part
discontinued by the House of Representatives in January 1995, although the Senate
continues to issue sense of the Senate resolutions recommending the establishment
of commemoratives.
The President has always had the authority to declare by proclamation any
commemorative event or national observance. It has now become standard practice
for special observances to be designated by a proclamation issued by the President.
A recent noteworthy departure from current congressional policy is P.L. 107-89,
which designates September 11 as Patriot Day and allows the President to issue an
annual proclamation calling upon the American people to commemorate Patriot Day.
Generally these observances are limited to a one-time celebration only, on a
designated day, week, or month of a particular year.
The following is a chronological list of these proclamations for the years 2004
through early 2006, indicating the proclamation number and its Federal Register
(FR) citation.
Except for the perpetual commemoratives indicated in italics below, with their
citations to the U.S. Code (U.S.C.), these proclamations (Proc.) must be reissued
each year if they are to have continued effect. Most are issued only shortly before the
observance of the event. For this reason, we are unable to provide a complete
advance calendar indicating these days. The listing continues through mid 2006 to
show proclamations issued by the President in the current year. This report will be
updated as a series of official proclamation notices are made available.



DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
2006
January
National Mentoring MonthProc. 7972 70 FR 76969
16Religious Freedom DayProc. 7974 71 FR 3201
22National Sanctity of Human Life DayProc. 7975 71 FR 4229
30Fourth Anniversary of USA FreedomProc. 7977 71 FR 5579
Corps
February
American Heart MonthProc. 797871 FR 5967
February each year36 U.S.C. 101
National African American History MonthProc. 7976 71 FR 5155
6-12National Consumer Protection WeekProc. 7979 71 FR 6333
6Death of Coretta Scott KingProc. 7980 71 FR 6661
March
American Red Cross MonthProc. 7982 71 FR 10411
Irish-American Heritage MonthProc. 7983 71 FR 10413
Women’s History MonthProc. 798571 FR 10823
5-11Save Your Vision WeekProc. 7986 71 FR 10825
First week of March each year36 U.S.C. 138
19-25National Poison Prevention WeekProc. 798871 FR 13243 36
Third week of March each yearU.S.C. 130
25Greek Independence DayProc. 798971 FR 14355
April
Cancer Control MonthProc. 7992 71 FR 16685
April each year36 U.S.C. 103
National Child Abuse Prevention MonthProc. 7993 71 FR 16687
National Donate Life MonthProc. 7994 71 FR 16689
8Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.Proc. 7997 71 FR 18157
9National Former Prisoner of WarProc. 7998 71 FR 18159
Recognition Day
11National D.A.R.E. DayProc. 800071 FR 18587
(Drug Abuse Resistance Education)

13Thomas Jefferson DayProc. 8001 71 FR 19983



DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
14Pan American DayProc. 799971 FR 18585
9-15Pan American WeekProc. 799971 FR 18585
9-15Small Business WeekProc. 799071 FR 15321
17-23National Volunteer WeekProc. 8004 71 FR 20865
22-30National Park WeekProc. 800271 FR 20517
23-29National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekProc. 800671 FR 24549
May
Asian/Pacific-American Heritage MonthProc. 800871 FR 25917
May each year36 U.S.C. 102
Jewish American Heritage MonthProc. 800571 FR 24547
Older Americans MonthProc. 800971 FR 26183
National Physical Fitness and SportsProc. 8003 71 FR 2086 3
Month
1Law DayProc. 801071 FR 26185
May 1 each year 36 U.S.C. 113
1Loyalty Day Proc. 801171 FR 26187 36
May 1 each year U.S.C. 115
4/30-National Charter Schools WeekProc. 800771 FR 25735
5/6
4National Day of PrayerProc. 801271 FR 26675
First Thursday of May each year 36 U.S.C. 119
12Death of G. V. Sonny MontgomeryProc. 801871 FR 28749
14Mother’s DayProc. 8013 71 FR 27183
Second Sunday in May each year36 U.S.C. 117
15Peace Officers Memorial DayProc. 801471 FR 28227
May 15 each year36 U.S.C. 136
14-20Police Week 71 FR 28227
Week in which Peace Officer MemorialProc. 801436 U.S.C. 137
Day falls each year
14-20National Defense Transportation WeekProc. 8016 71 FR 28745
Week in which National Defense36 U.S.C. 133
Transportation Day falls each year
19National Defense Transportation DayProc. 801671 FR 28745
Third Friday in May each year36 U.S.C. 120
21-27World Trade WeekProc. 802271 FR 30045

21-27National Hurricane Preparedness WeekProc. 802071 FR 29757



DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
22National Maritime Day Proc. 8021 71 FR 29759
May 22 each year 36 U.S.C. 128
20-26National Safe Boating Week 71 FR 28747 36
Seven-day period prior to the Memorial Proc. 8017U.S.C. 131
Day weekend each year
29 National Moment of RemembranceProc. 801971 FR 29059
Memorial Day each year 36 U.S.C. 11 6
29Prayer for Peace Memorial DayProc. 801971 FR 29059
Memorial Day each year 36 U.S.C. 116
June
Black Music MonthProc. 802571 FR 30793
Great Outdoors MonthProc. 802371 FR 30557
Caribbean-American Heritage MonthProc. 802871 FR 33373
National Homeownership MonthProc. 802471 FR 30559
4National Child’s DayProc. 802671 FR 32799
4-10National Oceans WeekProc. 8027 71 FR 32801
14Flag DayProc. 802971 FR 33589
June 14 each year 36 U.S.C. 110
11-17National Flag WeekProc. 802971 FR 33589
Week in which June 14 occurs each year36 U.S.C. 122
18 Father’s DayProc. 803071 FR 33591
Third Sunday in June each year36 U.S.C. 109
Decade
National Bone and Joint Decade, Proc. 753367 FR 13703
2002-2011
2005
January
National Mentoring MonthProc. 786170 FR 2797
16National Sanctity of Human Life DayProc. 786370 FR 3273
16Religious Freedom DayProc. 786470 FR 3275
2760th Anniversary of the Liberation of theProc. 786570 FR 4985
Auschwitz Concentration Camp

3-7Honoring the Memory of the Victims of theProc. 7859 70 FR 1159


Indian Ocean

DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
February
American Heart MonthProc. 786670 FR 6545
February each year 36 U.S.C. 101
1Centennial of the Forest ServiceProc. 786770 FR 654 7
7National African American History MonthProc. 786870 FR 6995
6-12National Consumer Protection WeekProc. 7869 70 FR 6997
March
American Red Cross MonthProc. 7871 70 FR 10483
Irish-American Heritage MonthProc. 787370 FR 11531
Women’s History MonthProc. 787270 FR 10857
6-12Save Your Vision WeekProc. 787470 FR 11533
First week of March each year36 U.S.C. 138
20-26National Poison Prevention WeekProc. 787570 FR 14965
Third week of March each year 36 U.S.C. 130
25Greek Independence DayProc. 787670 FR 15723
April
Cancer Control Month70 FR 17887
April each yearProc. 788436 U.S.C. 103
National Child Abuse Prevention MonthProc. 787870 FR 17293
National Donate Life MonthProc. 787970 FR 17295
2Honoring the Memory of Pope John Paul IIProc. 788170 FR 17301
20Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.Proc. 788870 FR 20691
14National D.A.R.E. DayProc. 788370 FR 17885
(Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
9National Former Prisoner of WarProc. 788070 FR 17297
Recognition Day
14Pan American DayProc. 788270 FR 17883
10-16Pan American WeekProc. 788270 FR 17883
10-16National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekProc. 787770 FR 17197

17-23National Volunteer WeekProc. 788570 FR 20265



DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
May
Asian/Pacific-American Heritage MonthProc. 789470 FR 23917
May each year36 U.S.C. 102
Older Americans MonthProc. 789570 FR 23919
National Physical Fitness and SportsProc. 788970 FR 21127
Month
1Law DayProc. 789170 FR 23771
May 1 each year 36 U.S.C. 113
1Loyalty Day Proc. 789270 FR 23773
May 1 each year 36 U.S.C. 115
1-7National Charter Schools WeekProc. 789070 FR 23007
5National Day of PrayerProc. 789670 FR 23921 36
First Thursday of May each year U.S.C. 119
8Mother’s DayProc. 789770 FR 24475 36
Second Sunday in May each yearU.S.C. 117
8-15Jewish Heritage WeekProc. 789870 FR 24695
15Peace Officers Memorial DayProc. 7901 70 FR 28765
May 15 each year 36 U.S.C. 136
15-21Police Week 70 FR 28765
Week in which Peace Officer MemorialProc. 790136 U.S.C. 137
Day falls each year
15-21National Defense Transportation Week 70 FR 28767
Week in which National DefenseProc. 790236 U.S.C. 133
Transportation Day falls each year
15-21World Trade WeekProc. 790070 FR 28411
15-21National Hurricane Preparedness Week Proc. 7899 70 FR 25459
20National Defense Transportation DayProc. 790236 U.S.C. 120
Third Friday in May each year 70 FR 28767
22National Maritime Day Proc. 790470 FR 29571 36
May 22 each year U.S.C. 128
21-27National Safe Boating Week 36 U.S.C. 131
Seven-day period prior to the MemorialProc. 790370 FR 29569
Day weekend each year
30 National Moment of RemembranceProc. 790570 FR 29915 36
Memorial Day each yearU.S.C. 116
30Prayer for Peace Memorial DayProc. 790570 FR 29915 36
Memorial Day each year U.S.C. 116



DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
June
Black Music MonthProc. 790770 FR 32971
Great Outdoors MonthProc. 790870 FR 32973
National Homeownership MonthProc. 790670 FR 31319
5National Child’s DayProc. 790970 FR 33333
14Flag DayProc. 791070 FR 34983 36
June 14 each year U.S.C. 110
12-18National Flag WeekProc. 791070 FR 3498 3
Week in which June 14 occurs each year36 U.S.C. 122
19 Father’s DayProc. 791170 FR 35503 36
Third Sunday in June each yearU.S.C. 109
July
17-23Captive Nations WeekProc. 7913 70 FR 41931
Third week in July each year
24Parents’ Day70 FR 43255 36
Fourth Sunday of July each year Proc. 7914U.S.C. 135
26Anniversary of the American withProc. 791570 FR 44039
Disabilities Act
August
640th Anniversary of the Voting Rights ActProc. 791670 FR 46401
of 1965
16National Airborne DayProc. 791770 FR 48473
26Women’s Equality DayProc. 791870 FR 51557
September
National Alcohol and Drug AddictionProc. 792170 FR 52281
Recovery Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month70 FR 5550 5
September 15 through October. 15 eachProc. 793136 U.S.C. 126
year
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness MonthProc. 791970 FR 51995
National Prostate Cancer Awareness MonthProc. 7920 70 FR 51997
4-13Death of William RehnquistProc. 792270 FR 53719

4-20Honoring the Memory of the Victims ofProc. 792370 FR 53721


Hurricane Katrina

DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
9-11National Days of Prayer and RemembranceProc. 792870 FR 54465
11Patriot DayProc. 792970 FR 54467 36
September 11 each yearU.S.C. 144
11-17National Historically Black Colleges andProc. 792770 FR 54463
Universities Week
11-17Minority Enterprise Development WeekProc. 792670 FR 54461
16National POW/MIA Recognition DayProc. 793070 FR 55021
17Citizenship DayProc. 793270 FR 55507 36
September 17 each yearU.S.C. 106
17-23Constitution Week70 FR 55507 36
Week beginning September 17 and endingProc. 7932U.S.C. 108
September 23 each year
18-24National Farm Safety and Health WeekProc. 793370 FR 55509
25Gold Star Mother’s DayProc. 793570 FR 56341 36
Last Sunday in September each yearU.S.C. 111
26Family DayProc. 7934 70 FR 55511
October
National Breast Cancer Awareness MonthProc. 793670 FR 58281
National Disability Employment Awareness 70 FR 58283
MonthProc. 793736 U.S.C. 121
October each year
National Domestic Violence AwarenessProc. 793870 FR 58285
Month
9-15Fire Prevention WeekProc. 794170 FR 59977
3Child Health Day Proc. 793970 FR 58287 36
First Monday in October each yearU.S.C. 105
6German-American DayProc. 794070 FR 59207
9Leif Erikson DayProc. 794379 FR 59981 36
October 9 each yearU.S.C. 114
11General Pulaski Memorial DayProc. 794570 FR 59985
9-15National School Lunch Week70 FR 59979 36
Week beginning on the second Sunday inProc. 7942U.S.C. 132
October each year
15White Cane Safety DayProc. 794970 FR 61019 36
October 15 each year U.S.C. 142

16-22National Character Counts WeekProc. 794670 FR 61013



DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
16-22National Forest Products Week70 FR 61017
Week beginning on the third Sunday ofProc. 794836 U.S.C. 123
October each year
16-22National Employer Support of the GuardProc. 794770 FR 61015
and Reserve Week
24United Nations DayProc. 795070 FR 61545
30Death of Rosa ParksProc. 795170 FR 66741
November
National Adoption MonthProc. 7952,70 FR 67331
National Alzheimer’s Disease AwarenessProc. 7958,70 FR 67639
Month
National American Indian Heritage MonthProc. 7956,70 FR 67635
National Family Caregivers MonthProc. 7957,70 FR 67637
National Diabetes MonthProc. 7953,70 FR 67333
National Hospice MonthProc. 7954,70 FR 67335
9World Freedom DayProc. 7960,70 FR 69247
15America Recycles DayProc. 7962,70 FR 69889
18-24National Farm-City WeekProc. 7961,70 FR 69887
20-26National Family WeekProc. 7964,70 FR 70989
December
National Drunk and Drugged DrivingProc. 7965,70 FR 72061
Prevention Month
1World AIDS DayProc. 7967,70 FR 72575
7National Pearl Harbor Remembrance DayProc. 7966,70 FR 72063 36
December 7 each year U.S.C. 129
10Human Rights DayProc. 7968,70 FR 73903
10-16Human Rights WeekProc. 7968,70 FR 73903

15Bill of Rights DayProc. 7968,70 FR 73903



DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
2004
January
DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitation
National Mentoring MonthProc. 7749,69 FR 2283
16Religious Freedom DayProc. 7753,69 FR 2993
18National Sanctity of Human Life DayProc. 7752,69 FR 2821
February
American Heart Month 69 FR 5457
February each yearProc. 7754, 36 U.S.C. 101
National African American History MonthProc. 7756,69 FR 5903
1-7National Consumer Protection WeekProc. 775569 FR 5677
March
American Red Cross MonthProc. 7759,69 FR 10593
Irish-American Heritage MonthProc. 7760,69 FR 11483
Women’s History MonthProc. 7761,69 FR 11485
1-6Save Your Vision Week69 FR 11487 36
First week of March each yearProc. 7762,U.S.C. 138
14-20National Poison Prevention WeekProc. 7763,69 FR 13707 36
Third week of March each yearU.S.C. 130
25Greek Independence DayProc. 7764,69 FR 16543
April
Cancer Control MonthProc. 776569 FR 18465
April each year36 U.S. C. 103
National Child Abuse Prevention MonthProc. 776669 FR 18467
National Donate Life MonthProc. 7769 69 FR 19309
2Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.Proc. 776769 FR 18469
8National D.A.R.E. DayProc. 776869 FR 19077
(Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
9National Former Prisoner of WarProc. 7770 69 FR 19751
Recognition Day
11-17Pan American DayProc. 7771 69 FR 20537

14Pan American WeekProc. 7771 69 FR 20537



DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
18-24National Crime Victims’ Rights WeekProc. 7774 69 FR 21687
18-24National Volunteer WeekProc. 7773 69 FR 21685
18-25National Park WeekProc. 7772 69 FR 21683
25-5/1Jewish Heritage WeekProc. 7775 69 FR 23085
May
Asian/Pacific-American Heritage MonthProc. 778169 FR 26467
May each year36 U.S.C. 102
Older Americans MonthProc. 7776 69 FR 25283
National Physical Fitness and SportsProc. 7782 69 FR 26469
Month
1Law DayProc. 7778 69 FR 25287
May 1 each year 36 U.S.C. 113
1Loyalty Day Proc. 777969 FR 25289
May 1 each year 36 U.S.C. 115
2-8National Charter Schools WeekProc. 7777 69 FR 25285
6National Day of PrayerProc. 7780 69 FR 25291
First Thursday of May each year 36 U.S.C. 119
9Mother’s DayProc. 7783 69 FR 26471
Second Sunday in May each year36 U.S.C. 117
9-15Police Week Proc. 7784 69 FR 26473
Week in which Peace Officer Memorial 36 U.S.C. 137
Day falls each year
15Peace Officers Memorial DayProc. 778469 FR 26473
May 15 each year 36 U.S.C. 136
16-22National Defense Transportation Week69 FR 29031
Week in which National DefenseProc. 778536 U.S.C. 133
Transportation Day falls each year
16-22Small Business Week Proc. 7787,69 FR 29035
16-22National Hurricane Preparedness Week Proc. 7786,69 FR 29033
21National Defense Transportation DayProc. 7785 36 U.S.C. 120
Third Friday in May each year 69 FR 29031
22National Maritime Day Proc. 778936 U.S.C. 128
May 22 each year 69 FR 29845
24-30National Safe Boating Week 69 FR 29847
Seven-day period prior to the MemorialProc. 779036 U.S.C. 131


Day weekend each year

DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
31National Moment of RemembranceProc. 998169 FR 30813
Memorial Day each year 36 U.S.C. 116
31Prayer for Peace Memorial DayProc. 779169 FR 30813
Memorial Day each year 36 U.S.C. 116
June
Black Music MonthProc. 779869 FR 35503
Great Outdoors MonthProc. 779569 FR 32427
6National Child’s DayProc. 7793 69 FR 32241
6D-Day National Remembrance DayProc. 779269 FR 32239
13-19National Flag WeekProc. 779669 FR 33831
Week in which June 14 occurs each year 36 U.S.C. 122
14Flag Day Proc. 7796 69 FR 33831
June 14 each year 36 U.S.C. 110
20Father’s DayProc. 7797 69 FR 35227
Third Sunday in June each year 36 U.S.C. 109
27National HIV Testing DayProc. 779969 FR 39311
July
18-24Captive Nations WeekProc. 7802 69 FR 43727
Third Week in July each year
25Parents’ DayProc. 7803 69 FR 46049
Fourth Sunday of July each year 36 U.S.C. 135
26Anniversary of the Americans withProc. 7804 69 FR 46051
Disabilities Act
August
16National Airborne DayProc. 780569 FR 51353
26Women’s Equality DayProc. 7806 69 FR 52987
September
National Hispanic Heritage MonthProc. 7816 36 U.S.C. 126
September 15 through October 15 each
year
National Alcohol and Drug AddictionProc. 7809 69 FR 55711
Recovery Month
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness MonthProc. 781069 FR 55713
National Prostate Cancer Awareness MonthProc. 7813 69 FR 56147



DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
5-11Minority Enterprise Development WeekProc. 780769 FR 54737
10-12National Days of Prayer and RemembranceProc. 781169 FR 55715
11Patriot DayProc. 7812 69 FR 55717
September 11 each year36 U.S.C. 144
14National POW/MIA Recognition DayProc. 7814 69 FR 56151
17Citizenship DayProc. 7817 69 FR 56663
September 17 each year 36 U.S.C. 106
12-18National Historically Black Colleges andProc. 7814 69 FR 56149
Universities Week
17-23Constitution WeekProc. 781769 FR 56663
Week of September 17-23 each year 36 U.S.C. 108
19-25National Farm Safety and Health WeekProc. 7818 69 FR 56925
26Gold Star Mother’s Day69 FR 58247
Last Sunday in September each year Proc. 7821 36 U.S.C. 111
27Family DayProc. 782069 FR 58033
October
National Disability Employment AwarenessProc. 7835 69 FR 62387
Month36 U.S.C. 121
October each year
National Breast Cancer Awareness MonthProc. 782369 FR 59759
2National Employer Support of the GuardProc. 7819 69 FR 57161
and Reserve Week
4Child Health DayProc. 7825 69 FR 60277
First Monday in October each year 36 U.S.C. 105
6German-American DayProc. 782769 FR 60789
9Leif Erikson DayProc. 7828 69 FR 60793
October 9 each year 36 U.S.C. 114
11General Pulaski Memorial DayProc. 7830 69 FR 61137
10-16National School Lunch WeekProc. 7831 69 FR 61141
Week beginning on the second Sunday in36 U.S.C. 132
October
15National Mammography DayProc. 783269 FR 61727
15White Cane Safety DayProc. 783369 FR 61729
October 15 each year 36 U.S.C. 142

17-23National Character Counts WeekProc. 783469 FR 61989



DateProclamation TitleProc. NumberCitationa
17-23National Forest Products WeekProc. 7836 69 FR 62389
Week beginning on the third Sunday in 36 U.S.C. 123
October each year
24United Nations DayProc. 7837 69 FR 62799
November
National Adoption MonthProc. 783869 FR 65041
National Alzheimer’s Disease AwarenessProc. 7839 69 FR 65043
Month
National American Indian Heritage MonthProc. 784069 FR 65045
National Family Caregivers MonthProc. 7842 69 FR 65049
National Diabetes MonthProc. 784169 FR 65047
National Hospice MonthProc. 7843 69 FR 65051
9World Freedom DayProc. 7845 69 FR 65515
11Veterans DayProc. 7844 69 FR 64411
23-29National Family WeekProc. 773968 FR 66319
December
7National Pearl Harbor Remembrance DayProc. 7852,69 FR 71689
December 7 each year 36 U.S.C. 129
17Wright Brothers DayProc. 7856, 69 FR 76595
December 17 each year 36 U.S.C. 143
Please note that some proclamations have both Federal Register and United States Code citations
while others do not. A proclamation that has a U.S.C. citation has continuing authority so a
proclamation may be issued each year. For example National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
has been proclaimed each year since 1994.