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HomeMy WebLinkAbout06092025_Laydown3_Finch_proclamationsLIST OF PROCLAMATIONS TO BE SET IN STONE 2-page Laydown from Council Member Finch for June 9, 2025 • Martin Luther King Day -- January, Third Monday The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr., an African-American clergyman, is considered a great American because of his tireless efforts to win civil rights for all people through nonviolent means. Since his assassination in 1968, memorial services have marked his birthday on January 15. In 1986, that day was replaced by the third Monday of January, which was declared a national holiday. • Presidents' Day -- February, Third Monday Until the mid-1970s, the February 22 birthday of George Washington, hero of the Revolutionary War and first president of the United States, was a national holiday. In addition, the February 12 birthday of Abraham Lincoln, the president during the Civil War, was a holiday in most states. The two holidays have been joined as Presidents' Day that also embraces all past presidents. It is celebrated on the third Monday in February. • National Vietnam War Veterans Day The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law by 45th U.S. President Donald J. Trump, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This special day joins six other military-centric annual observances codified in Title 4 of the United States Code §6 (i.e., Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, Navy Day, Veterans Day). • National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day – Remembered each May 3rd, the Fallen Fire�ighters Foundation sponsors the of�icial national tribute to all �ire�ighters who died in the line of duty during the previous year. Thousands attend the National Fallen Fire�ighters Memorial Weekend in Emmitsburg, Maryland. • National Peace Of�icers Memorial Day – Remembered each May 15th, Peace Of�icers Memorial Day falls on May 15 each year to pay tribute to the brave local, state, and federal peace of�icers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. Falling in Police Week, the day is marked with a memorial event in Washington D.C., a candlelight vigil, and speeches commemorating of�icers past and present. • Memorial Day -- Last Monday in May. This holiday honors the dead. Although, it originated in the aftermath of the Civil War, it has become a day on which the fallen of all wars, and the dead generally, are remembered in special programs held in cemeteries, churches, and other public meeting places. • Independence Day -- July 4 Independence Day honors the United States of America's birthday that was founded with ... the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. The flying of 'Old Glory' ... the U.S. Flag ... is widespread. • Flag Day - Flag Day celebrates the symbolism and history of the American flag on June 14. The U.S. has celebrated the adoption of the Stars and Stripes in a variety of ways when President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation establishing the June 14 as Flag Day in May 1916. These celebrations include flying the flag in front of residences, participating in parades, and holding other patriotic events. Several states and numerous cities had begun commemorating the day before to 1916. • Independence Day -- July 4, Independence Day honors the United States of America's birthday that was founded with ... the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. It is a day of picnics and patriotic parades, a night of concerts and fireworks. The flying of 'Old Glory' ... the U.S. Flag ... is widespread. • National Purple Heart Day -- August 7, An annual observance that honors fallen and wounded service members of the United States military branches. • Patriot Day -- September 11, By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107-89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day" ... in honor of those who perished in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. On this day, the President calls upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate of�icials of all units of government, to direct that the �lag be �lown at half-staff on Patriot Day. In addition, the President calls upon all Americans to display the �lag at half-staff from their homes on that day and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. (The �irst plane crashed at 8:46 a.m.) • Constitution Day/Citizenship Day -- September 17. On September 17, 1787, the Founding Fathers signed the U.S. Constitution. For over 200 years, the Constitution has served as the supreme law of the land. The Constitution, along with the Bill of Rights and other amendments, define our government and guarantee our rights. Each year, on September 17, Americans celebrate Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. • POW/MIA Recognition Day -- This recognition day falls on every 3rd Friday in September. National POW/MIA Recognition Day was established in 1979 through a proclamation signed by President Jimmy Carter. Since then, each subsequent president has issued an annual proclamation commemorating the third Friday in September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. • Veterans Day -- November 11, Originally, called Armistice Day, this holiday was established to honor Americans who had served in World War I. It falls on the day when that war ended in 1918, but it now honors veterans of all wars in which the United States has fought. Veterans' organizations hold parades, and the president customarily places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C.