Commemorative Observances: A Chronological List

Commemorative Observances: A Chronological List

Order Code 98-45 C
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Commemorative Observances:
A Chronological List
Updated November 17, 2004
Hannah Fischer
Research Specialist
Information Research Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

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 recent noteworthy
departure from current congressional policy is P.L. 107-89, which designates
September 11 as Patriot Day and calls upon the President to issue an annual
proclamation calling on the American people to commemorate Patriot Day. This
report is a chronological list of these proclamations for 2003 and 2004, indicating the
proclamation number and its Federal Register citation. This report will be updated
periodically during the year.

Contents
2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Decade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
February . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
March . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
June . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
July . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
August . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
September . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
October . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
November . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
December . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2004 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
January . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
February . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
March . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
April . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
May . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
June . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
July . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
August . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
September . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
October . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
November . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
December . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Commemorative Observances:
A Chronological List
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 calls upon 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
particular day, week, or month of a particular year.
The following is a chronological list of these proclamations for 2003 and 2004,
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. 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.
We are providing the 2003 list as an indication of the observances that might well be
designated again in 2004.
2003
Decade
National Bone and Joint Decade, 2002-2011
Proc. 7533, 67 FR 13703
January
National Mentoring Month
Proc. 7636, 68 FR 995
13
Centennial of Korean Immigration to the
Proc. 7368, 68 FR 2173
United States
16
National Religious Freedom Day
Proc. 7640, 68 FR 2869
19
National Sanctity of Human Life Day
Proc. 7639, 68 FR 2409

CRS-2
February
American Heart Month
36 U.S.C. 101
February each year
Proc. 7644, 68 FR 6055
National African American History Month
Proc. 7645, 68 FR 6057
2-8
National Consumer Protection Week
Proc. 7643, 68 FR 4887
March
American Red Cross Month
Proc. 7648, 68 FR 10641
Irish-American Heritage Month
Proc. 7649, 68 FR 10643
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Proc. 7650, 68 FR 10645
Women’s History Month
Proc. 7651, 68 FR 10647
2-8
Save Your Vision Week
36 U.S.C. 138
First week of March each year
Proc. 7652, 68 FR 10649
16-22
National Poison Prevention Week
36 U.S.C. 130
Third week of March each year
Proc. 7653, 68 FR 13217
25
Greek Independence Day
Proc. 7654, 68 FR 13805
April
Cancer Control Month
36 U.S.C. 103
April each year
Proc. 7655, 68 FR 14887
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Proc. 1656, 68 FR 15651
National Donate Life Month
Proc. 7658, 68 FR 16403
National Fair Housing Month
Proc. 7664, 68 FR 19135
6-12
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Proc. 7569, 68 FR 17253
9
National Former Prisoner of War Recognition
Proc. 7660, 68 FR 17873
Day
10
National D.A.R.E. Day
Proc. 7661, 68 FR 17875
(Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
13
Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.
Proc. 7662, 68 FR 18081
13-19
Pan American Week
Proc. 7663, 68 FR 18831
14
Pan American Day
Proc. 7663, 68 FR 18831
21-27
National Park Week
Proc. 7665, 68 FR 19929
27-5/3 National Charter School Week
Proc. 7666, 68 FR 23021

CRS-3
May
Asian/Pacific-American Heritage Month May
36 U.S.C. 102
each year
Proc. 7668, 68 FR 23821
Older Americans Month
Proc. 7669, 68 FR 23823
1
Law Day
36 U.S.C. 113
May 1 each year
Proc. 7670, 68 FR 23825
1
Loyalty Day
36 U.S.C. 115
May 1 each year
Proc. 7671, 68 FR 23827
1
National Day of Prayer
36 U.S.C. 119
First Thursday of May each year
Proc. 7672, 68 FR 23829
1-11
Jewish Heritage Week
Proc. 7673, 68 FR 24333
11
Mother’s Day
36 U.S.C. 117
Second Sunday in May each year
Proc. 7674, 68 FR 25277
11-17
Police Week
36 U.S.C. 137
Week in which Peace Officer Memorial Day
Proc. 7675, 68 FR 26195
falls each year
11-17
National Transportation Week
36 U.S.C. 133
Week in which National Defense
Proc. 7676, 68 FR 26197
Transportation Day falls each year
15
Peace Officer Memorial Day
36 U.S.C. 136
May 15 each year
Proc. 7675, 68 FR 26195
16
National Defense Transportation Day
36 U.S.C. 133
Third Friday in May each year
Proc. 7676, 68 FR 26197
17-23
National Safe Boating Week
36 U.S.C. 131
Seven-day period prior to the Memorial Day
Proc. 7677, 68 FR 26199
weekend each year
18-24
National Hurricane Awareness Week
Proc. 7678, 68 FR 27427
18-24
World Trade Week
Proc. 7679, 68 FR 27889
22
National Maritime Day
36 U.S.C. 128
May 22 each year
Proc. 7689, 68 FR 28687
25
National Missing Children’s Day
Proc. 7682, 68 FR 31937
26
National Moment of Remembrance
36 U.S.C. 116
Memorial Day each year
Proc. 7681, 68 FR 31935
26
Prayer for Peace Memorial Day
36 U.S.C. 116
Memorial Day each year
Proc. 7681, 68 FR 31935

CRS-4
June
Black Music Month
Proc. 7687, 68 FR 38167
1
National Child’s Day
Proc. 7683, 68 FR 33339
National Homeownership Month
Proc. 7685, 68 FR 36445
8-14
National Flag Week
36 U.S.C. 122
Week in which June 14 occurs each year
Proc. 7684, 68 FR 34775
14
Flag Day
36 U.S.C. 110
June 14 each year
Proc. 7684, 68 FR 34775
15
Father’s Day
36 U.S.C. 109
Third Sunday in June each year
Proc. 7686, 68 FR 36447
July
1
30th Anniversary of the All-Volunteer Force
Proc. 7690, 68 FR 40115
20-26
Captive Nations Week
P.L. 86-90
Third week in July each year
Proc. 7691, 68 FR 43455
27
National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
36 U.S.C. 127
July 27 each year until 2003
Proc. 7692, 68 FR 44449
27
Parents’ Day
36 U.S.C. 135
Fourth Sunday of July each year
Proc. 7693, 68 FR 44849
August
26
Women’s Equality Day
Proc. 7695, 68 FR 51673
September
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Proc. 7698, 68 FR 52825
Recovery Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month
36 U.S.C. 126
September 15 through October 15 each year
Proc. 7706, 68 FR 55253
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Proc. 7699, 68 FR 52827
National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Proc. 7700, 68 FR 52829
11
Patriot Day
36 U.S.C. 144
September 11 each year
Proc. 7702, 68 FR 53013
14-20
National Historically Black Colleges and
Proc. 7703, 68 FR 54321
Universities Week

CRS-5
14-20
Small Business Week
Proc. 7704, 68 FR 54323
17
Citizenship Day
36 U.S.C. 106
September 17 each year
Proc. 7705, 68 FR 54977
17-23
Constitution Week
36 U.S.C. 108
Week beginning September 17 and ending
Proc. 7705, 68 FR 54977
September 23 each year
19
National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Proc. 7707, 68 FR 55259
21-27
National Farm Safety and Health Week
Proc. 7708, 68 FR 56511
22
Family Day
Proc. 7697, 68 FR 52313
28
Gold Star Mother’s Day
36 U.S.C. 111
Last Sunday in September each year
Proc. 7709, 68 FR 56513
28-10/4 Minority Enterprise Development Week
Proc. 7710, 68 FR 56521
October
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Proc. 7711, 68 FR 58251
National Disability Employment
36 U.S.C. 121
Awareness Month
Proc. 7712, 68 FR 58253
October each year
National Domestic Violence Awareness
Proc. 7717, 68 FR 59079
Month
5-11
Fire Prevention Week
Proc. 7713, 68 FR 58255
6
Child Health Day
36 U.S.C. 105
First Monday in October each year
Proc. 7716, 68 FR 58573
6
German-American Day
Proc. 7715, 68 FR 58259
9
Leif Erikson Day
36 U.S.C. 114
October 9 each year
Proc. 7718, 68 FR 59305
11
General Pulaski Memorial Day
Proc. 7721, 68 FR 59517
12-18
Marriage Protection Week
Proc. 7714, 68 FR 58257
12-18
National School Lunch Week
36 U.S.C. 132
Week beginning on the second Sunday in
Proc. 7719, 68 FR 59513
October each year
15
White Cane Safety Day
36 U.S.C. 142
October 15 each year
Proc. 7722, 68 FR 59853
16-11/1
Protection From Pornography Week
Proc. 7725, 68 FR 61603
19-25
National Character Counts Week
Proc. 7724, 68 FR 60615

CRS-6
19-25
National Forest Products Week
36 U.S.C. 123
Week beginning on the third Sunday of
Proc. 7723, 68 FR 60613
October each year
24
United Nations Day
Proc. 7726, 68 FR 61605
November
National Adoption Month
Proc. 7731, 68 FR 64483
National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness
Proc. 7728, 68 FR 62503
Month
National American Indian Heritage Month
Proc. 7735, 68 FR 65153
National Family Caregivers Month
Proc. 7730, 68 FR 62507
National Diabetes Month
Proc. 7729, 68 FR 62505
National Hospice Month
Proc. 7727, 68 FR 62351
9
World Freedom Day
Proc. 7732, 68 FR 64485
15
America Recycles Day
Proc. 7734, 68 FR 64977
16-22
National Employer Support of the Guard and
Proc. 7736, 68 FR 65155
Reserve Week
21-27
National Farm-City Week
Proc. 7737, 68 FR 65627
23-29
National Family Week
Proc. 7739, 68 FR 66319
December
National Drunk and Drugged Driving
Proc. 7743, 68 FR 69293
Prevention Month
1
World AIDS Day
Proc. 7740, 68 FR 67787
7
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
36 U.S.C. 129
December 7 each year
Proc. 7742, 68 FR 68999
10
Human Rights Day
Proc. 7744, 68 FR 69939
10-16
Human Rights Week
Proc. 7744, 68 FR 69939
15
Bill of Rights Day
Proc. 7744, 68 FR 69939
17
Wright Brothers Day
36 U.S.C. 143
December 17 each year
Proc. 7745, 68 FR 74463
2004

CRS-7
January
National Mentoring Month
Proc. 7749, 69 FR 2283
16
Religious Freedom Day
Proc. 7753, 69 FR 2993
18
National Sanctity of Human Life Day
Proc. 7752, 69 FR 2821
February
American Heart Month
36 U.S.C. 101
February each year
Proc. 7754, 69 FR 5457
National African American History Month
Proc. 7756, 69 FR 5903
1-7
National Consumer Protection Week
Proc. 7755 69 FR 5677
March
American Red Cross Month
Proc. 7759, 69 FR 10593
Irish-American Heritage Month
Proc. 7760, 69 FR 11483
Women’s History Month
Proc. 7761, 69 FR 11485
1-6
Save Your Vision Week
36 U.S.C. 138
First week of March each year
Proc. 7762, 69 FR 11487
14-20
National Poison Prevention Week
36 U.S.C. 130
Third week of March each year
Proc. 7763, 69 FR 13707
25
Greek Independence Day
Proc. 7764, 69 FR 16543
April
Cancer Control Month
36 U.S.C. 103
April each year
Proc. 7765, 69 FR 18465
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Proc. 7766, 69 FR 18467
National Donate Life Month
Proc. 7769, 69 FR 19309
2
Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.
Proc. 7767, 69 FR 18469
8
National D.A.R.E. Day
Proc. 7768, 69 FR 19077
(Drug Abuse Resistance Education)
9
National Former Prisoner of War
Proc. 7770, 69 FR 19751
Recognition Day
11-17
Pan American Day
Proc. 7771, 69 FR 20537
14
Pan American Week
Proc. 7771, 69 FR 20537

CRS-8
18-24
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Proc. 7774, 69 FR 21687
18-24
National Volunteer Week
Proc. 7773, 69 FR 21685
18-25
National Park Week
Proc. 7772, 69 FR 21683
25-5/1
Jewish Heritage Week
Proc. 7775, 69 FR 23085
May
Asian/Pacific-American Heritage Month
36 U.S.C. 102
May each year
Proc. 7781, 69 FR 26467
Older Americans Month
Proc. 7776, 69 FR 25283
National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
Proc. 7782, 69 FR 26469
1
Law Day
36 U.S.C. 113
May 1 each year
Proc. 7778, 69 FR 25287
1
Loyalty Day
36 U.S.C. 115
May 1 each year
Proc. 7779, 69 FR 25289
2-8
National Charter Schools Week
Proc. 7777, 69 FR 25285
6
National Day of Prayer
36 U.S.C. 119
First Thursday of May each year
Proc. 7780. 69 FR 25291
9
Mother’s Day
36 U.S.C. 117
Second Sunday in May each year
Proc. 7783, 69 FR 26471
9-15
Police Week
36 U.S.C. 137
Week in which Peace Officer Memorial Day
Proc. 7784, 69 FR 26473
falls each year
15
Peace Officers Memorial Day
36 U.S.C. 136
May 15 each year
Proc. 7784, 69 FR 26473
16-22
National Defense Transportation Week
36 U.S.C. 133
Week in which National Defense
Proc. 7785, 69 FR 29031
Transportation Day falls each year
16-22
Small Business Week
Proc. 7787, 69 FR 29035
16-22
National Hurricane Preparedness Week
Proc. 7786, 69 FR 29033
21
National Defense Transportation Day
36 U.S.C. 120
Third Friday in May each year
Proc. 7785, 69 FR 29031
22
National Maritime Day
36 U.S.C. 128
May 22 each year
Proc. 7789, 69 FR 29845
24-30
National Safe Boating Week
36 U.S.C. 131
Seven-day period prior to the Memorial Day
Proc. 7790, 69 FR 29847
weekend each year

CRS-9
31
National Moment of Remembrance
36 U.S.C. 116
Memorial Day each year
9981, 69 FR 30813
31
Prayer for Peace Memorial Day
36 U.S.C. 116
Memorial Day each year
Proc. 7791, 69 FR 30813
June
Black Music Month
Proc. 7798, 69 FR 35503
Great Outdoors Month
Proc. 7795, 69 FR 32427
6
National Child’s Day
Proc. 7793, 69 FR 32241
6
D-Day National Remembrance Day
Proc. 7792, 69 FR 32239
13-19
National Flag Week
36 U.S.C. 122
Week in which June 14 occurs each year
Proc. 7796, 69 FR 33831
14
Flag Day
36 U.S.C. 110
June 14 each year
Proc. 7796, 69 FR 33831
20
Father’s Day
36 U.S.C. 109
Third Sunday in June each year
Proc. 7797, 69 FR 35227
27
National HIV Testing Day
Proc. 7799, 69 FR 39311
July
18-24
Captive Nations Week
P.L. 86-90
Third Week in July each year
Proc. 7802, 69 FR 43727
25
Parents’ Day
36 U.S.C. 135
Fourth Sunday of July each year
Proc. 7803, 69 FR 46049
26
Anniversary of the Americans with
Proc. 7804, 69 FR 46051
Disabilities Act
August
16
National Airborne Day
Proc. 7805, 69 FR 51353
26
Women’s Equality Day
Proc. 7806, 69 FR 52987
September
National Hispanic Heritage Month
36 U.S.C. 126
September 15 through October 15 each year
Proc. 7816, 69 FR 56661
National Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Proc. 7809, 69 FR 55711
Recovery Month

CRS-10
National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month
Proc. 7810, 69 FR 55713
National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
Proc. 7813, 69 FR 56147
5-11
Minority Enterprise Development Week
Proc. 7807, 69 FR 54737
10-12
National Days of Prayer and Rememberance
Proc. 7811, 69 FR 55715
11
Patriot Day
36 U.S.C. 144
September 11 each year
Proc. 7812, 69 FR 55717
14
National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Proc. 7814, 69 FR 56151
17
Citizenship Day
36 U.S.C. 106
September 17 each year
Proc. 7817, 69 FR 56663
12-18
National Historically Black Colleges and
Proc. 7814, 69 FR 56149
Universities Week
17-23
Constitution Week
36 U.S.C. 108
Week of September 17-23 each year
Proc. 7817, 69 FR 56663
19-25
National Farm Safety and Health Week
Proc. 7818, 69 FR 56925
26
Gold Star Mother’s Day
36 U.S.C. 111
Last Sunday in September each year
Proc. 7821, 58247
27
Family Day
Proc. 7820, 69 FR 58033
October
National Disability Employment Awareness
36 U.S.C. 121
Month
Proc. 7835, 69 FR 62387
October each year
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Proc. 7823, 69 FR 59759
2
National Employer Support of the Guard and
Proc. 7819, 69 FR 57161
Reserve Week
4
Child Health Day
36 U.S.C. 105
First Monday in October each year
Proc. 7825, 69 FR 60277
6
German-American Day
Proc. 7827, 69 FR 60789
9
Leif Erikson Day
36 U.S.C. 114
October 9 each year
Proc. 7828, 69 FR 60793
11
General Pulaski Memorial Day
Proc. 7830, 69 FR 61137
10-16
National School Lunch Week
36 U.S.C. 132
Week beginning on the second Sunday in
Proc. 7831, 69 FR 61141
October
15
National Mammography Day
Proc. 7832, 69 FR 61727

15
White Cane Safety Day
36 U.S.C. 142
October 15 each year
Proc. 7833, 69 FR 61729
17-23
National Character Counts Week
Proc. 7834, 69 FR 61989
17-23
National Forest Products Week
36 U.S.C. 123
Week beginning on the third Sunday in
Proc. 7836, 69 FR 62389
October each year
24
United Nations Day
Proc. 7837, 69 FR 62799
November
National Adoption Month
Proc. 7838, 69 FR 6504
National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness
Proc. 7839, 69 FR 65043
Month
National American Indian Heritage Month
Proc. 7840, 69 FR 65045
National Family Caregivers Month
Proc. 7842, 69 FR 65049
National Diabetes Month
Proc. 7841, 69 FR 65047
National Hospice Month
Proc. 7843, 69 FR 65051
9
World Freedom Day
Proc. 7845, 69 FR 65515
11
Veterans Day
Proc. 7844, 69 FR 64411
23-29
National Family Week
Proc. 7739, 68 FR 66319
December
7
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
36 U.S.C. 129
December 7 each year
17
Wright Brothers Day
36 U.S.C. 143
December 17 each year