Important US Dates to Commemorate

January 14th:  Ratification Day
Annually recognizes the ratification of the Treaty of Paris on January 14, 1784, at the Maryland State House in Annapolis, Maryland by the Confederation Congress that officially ended the American Revolution and established the United States as a sovereign entity.

January 16th:  National Religious Freedom Day
Since 1993, the President of the United States has proclaimed January 16 as National Religious Freedom Day, commemorating the Virginia General Assembly’s adoption of Thomas Jefferson‘s landmark Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786.

February 1st:  National Freedom Day
Celebrates freedom from slavery and recognizes that America is a symbol of liberty. The day honors the signing by Abraham Lincoln on February 1, 1865 of a joint House and Senate resolution that later became the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution.

March 3rd:  National Anthem Day
Commemorates the day in 1931 the United States adopted The Star Spangled Banner (written September 14, 1814 by Francis Scott Key) as its National Anthem.

March 16th:  National Freedom of Information Day
Celebrates the birthday of President James Madison (March 16, 1751), known as the “Father of the Constitution” and as the foremost advocate for openness in government.

April 11, 1783:  End of Fighting in the Revolutionary War
The Confederation Congress issued a proclamation on April 11, 1783, “Declaring the cessation of arms” against Great Britain.

April 19, 1775:  The start of the American Revolutionary War Anniversary
The Battles of Lexington and Concord (Massachusetts) were initial skirmishes of American provincials preventing their store of arms from being taken by British soldiers that marked the beginning of the American Revolution.

May 1st:  National Loyalty Day
First observed in 1921 as “Americanization Day,” this holiday was intended to counterbalance the Communist celebration of Labor Day on May Day. On July 18, 1958, it was made an official holiday by the US Congress. President Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1959, the first official observance of Loyalty Day. Since then it has been recognized with an official proclamation every year by every president.

May 1st:  Law Day
The day for all Americans to reflect on the personal rights and liberties as laid out in the fundamental documents of American democracy—the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution—which are daily enjoyed and exercised, and which are upheld by the laws and courts.

First Thursday in May:  National Day of Prayer
This day of observance, designated by the US Congress in 1952, asks people “to turn to God in prayer and meditation.”

Third Saturday in May:  Armed Forces Day
President Truman led the effort to establish this single holiday—for citizens to thank military members for their patriotic service—stemming from the unification of the Armed Forces under the Department of Defense. Parades, open houses, receptions, and air shows were held to celebrate the first Armed Forces Day on May 20, 1950.

Last Monday in May:  Memorial Day
Honors and remembers all men and women who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

June 14th:  National Flag Day
Commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777, and its representation of independence and unity through its 50 stars (representing states) and 13 stripes (representing the first colonies).

June 14th:  US Army Birthday Anniversary
The United States Army was created June 14, 1775. Formed from amateur troops of volunteer soldiers defending colonies against British tyranny, the oldest American military force began before the USA formally existed. Their forces consisted of mostly inexperienced militiamen commanded by independent colonial armies.

June 20, 1782:  E pluribus unum Anniversary
The Great Seal of the United States, which included the phrase E pluribus unum (Latin for Out of many, one) was approved by the US Congress.

July 4th:  USA Independence Day
This federal holiday commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain.

July 18:  Minuteman Day
July 18, 1775 the Continental Congress recommended that other colonies join Massachusetts in organizing units of minutemen: civilian colonists who independently formed well-prepared mobile militia companies self-trained in weaponry, tactics, and military strategies, known for being ready at a minute’s notice to be rapidly deployed to defensively respond immediately to war threats.

July 30, 1956:  “In God We Trust” Anniversary
On this date the US Congress established “In God We Trust” as the official motto of the United States of America. The capitalized form “IN GOD WE TRUST” first appeared on the two-cent piece in 1864.

August 4th:  Coast Guard Birthday AnniversaryThe Coast Guard traces its founding to August 4, 1790, when the first Congress authorized the construction of 10 vessels to enforce tariff and trade laws, prevent smuggling, and protect the collection of federal revenue.

September 11th:  Patriot Day
Honors the memory of the nearly 3,000 people killed in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

September 16th:  Mayflower Day
On September 16, 1620, the ship Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England with 102 people on board, including those seeking religious freedom (Puritans) in the New World of America.

September 17th:  Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
Commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of the United States by members of the US Constitutional Convention in 1787, as well as those who have chosen to become United States citizens.

September 18th:  Air Force Birthday Anniversary
The US Air Force was officially founded September 18, 1947. Between 1909—when that the US military purchased its first aircraft—and 1947, the US Air Force did not exist as a separate and independent military service organization. It went through a series of designations: Aeronautical Section, Signal Corps (1909); Aviation Section, Signal Corps (1914); United States Army Air Service (1918); United States Army Air Corps (1926), and United States Army Air Forces (1941).

September 25, 1789:  Bill of Rights Anniversary
The first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Passed by Congress on September 25, 1789, these rights place limits on government power.

September 26th:  National Situational Awareness Day
Designated to spotlight one’s personal safety. Another word for mindfulness, the concept (one of the 5 catalysts of SemperVerus living) is to intentionally be aware and pay attention to one’s surroundings. Practicing it makes a person more present in daily activities, and in turn, helps a person make better decisions in all aspects of life.

October 13th:  US Navy Birthday Anniversary
The purchase and outfitting of the first four vessels of the Continental Navy took place in Philadelphia, PA on October 13, 1775, which the US Navy claims as its birthday.

November 10th:  US Marine Corps Birthday Anniversary
The United States Marine Corps (USMC) begins with the founding of the Continental Marines on November 10, 1775 to conduct ship-to-ship fighting, provide shipboard security and discipline enforcement, and assist in landing forces.

November 11th:  Veterans Day
Coinciding with Armistice Day and Remembrance Day marking the end of WWI, it honors all military veterans who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

November 11, 1620:  Mayflower Compact Anniversary
The Mayflower Compact, the first governing document of Plymouth Colony, was signed aboard the ship Mayflower while anchored in Provincetown Harbor within the hook at the northern tip of Cape Cod. The Pilgrims, in devotion to God, determined to establish their own government while still affirming their allegiance to the Crown of England. Thus, the Mayflower Compact was based simultaneously upon a majoritarian model for the common good and the settlers’ allegiance to the king. It was in essence a social contract in which the settlers consented to follow the community’s rules and regulations for the sake of order and survival.

December 7th:  National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Honors the more than 3,500 Americans who died or were wounded when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, causing America to enter WWII.

December 15th:  National Bill of Rights Day
Designated by President Franklin Roosevelt on December 15, 1941, this day celebrates the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution, which guarantee citizens civil rights and liberties such as freedom of religion, speech, and press, peaceful assemblage, the right of the people to keep and bear arms without infringement, and the security against unreasonable searches and seizures.

December 20th:  US Space Force Birthday Anniversary
The US Space Force was signed into law Dec. 20, 2019, having the mission to secure America’s interests in, from, and to space.

December 28th:  Pledge of Allegiance Day
Commemorates the date in 1945 when the US Congress adopted “The Pledge” into the United States Flag Code. Written by Francis Bellamy, the Youth’s Companion first published it anonymously on September 8, 1892, under the title “The Pledge.” The words “under God” were added by Congress in 1954.


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