"US law provides for the declaration of selected public observances by the President of the United States as designated by Congress or by the discretion of the President."
Generally the president will provide a reasoning behind the elevation of the day, and call on the people of the United States to observe the day ""with appropriate ceremonies and activities"". These events are typically to honor or commorate a public issue or social cause, ethnic group, historic event or noted indivdual. However, (with several exceptions) there is no requirement that government or business close on these days, and many members of the general public may not be aware that such holidays even exist. Holidays proclaimed in this way may be considered a U.S. "national observance", but it would be improper to refer to them as a "Federal Holiday".
"In addition to annual commemorative events, the President may proclaim a day or period designated for mourning or prayer after the death of noted officials including US Presidents and Justices of the Supreme Court and after major tragic events or disasters with serious causalties."
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Special Days
recognized by presidential proclamation
Public holiday-most government services
and major businesses closed.
- Prayer for Peace:, Memorial Day: (last Monday in May)
- Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November) Oldest proclaimed observance in US history, dating back to 1863 with Abraham Lincoln.
- National Sanctity of Human Life Day (third Sunday in January)
- Education and Sharing day (March or April)
- Greek Independence Day (March 25)
- National D.A.R.E. Day (second Thursday in April)
- Pan American Day and week (April 14 and week thereof)
- Armenian Remembrance Day (April 24) Although not officially proclaimed by the President, it is typical for the President to issue a statement recogizing the events in Armenia and their aftermath.
- National Defense Transportation Day and National Transportation Week (third Friday in May and week thereof)
- National Maritime Day (May 22)
- National Child's Day (first Monday in June)
- Flag Day, and National Flag Week (June 14 and week thereof)
- National Airborne Day (August 16)
- Women's Equality Day (August 26)
- National POW/MIA Recognition Day (Third Friday in September)
- Citizenship Day and Constitution Week (September 17 and week thereof)
- Child Health Day (first Monday in October)
- German-American Day (October 6)
- General Pulaski Memorial Day (October 11)
- World Freedom Day (November 9)
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Special Weeks
recognized by presidential proclamation
- National Consumer Protection Week (first week of February)
- Save Your Vision Week (first week of March)
- National Poison Prevention Week (third week of March)
- National Volunteer Week (last week of April)
- National Crime Victims' Rights Week (April)
- National Park Week (last week of April)
- World Trade Week (third week of May)
- National Hurricane Preparedness Week (third week in May)
- National Safe Boating Week (week prior to Memorial Day)
- Captive Nations Week (third week of July)
- Minority Enterprise Development Week (September)
- National Farm Safety and Health Week (third week of September)
- National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week (September)
- The first week of October is National Yearbook Week: The first National School Yearbook Week was held in October 1987 by proclamation of President Ronald Reagan. It coincided with the Bicentennial celebration of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights, guaranteeing freedom of the press. proclamation 5703
- Fire Prevention Week (week of October 9)
- National School Lunch Week (week of the second Sunday in October)
- National Forest Products Week (week of the third Sunday in October)
- National Character Counts Week (third week in October)
- National Farm-City Week (week prior to Thanksgiving)
- National Family Week (week of Thanksgiving)
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Special Months
recognized by presidential proclamation
- American Heart Month (February)
- American Red Cross Month (March)
- Women's History Month (March)
- Irish-American Heritage Month (March)
- Cancer Control Month (April)
- National Donate Life Month (April)
- Prevent Child Abuse Month (April)
- Older Americans Month (May)
- Jewish American Heritage Month (May) Observed beginning 2006, formerly "Jewish Heritage Week"
- Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (May) Observed as Asian Pacfic American Hertitage Week until 1992.
- Mental Health Awaremenss Month (May)
- Gay and Lesbian Pride Month (June)
- Great Outdoors Month (June)
- National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month (September)
- National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month (September)
- National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15)
- National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)
- National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October)
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October)
- National Hospice Month (November)
- National Adoption Month (November)
- National Family Caregivers Month (November)
- National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month (November)
- National Diabetes Month (November)
- National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month (December)
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Notes:
