How to start a holiday
Christmas. Hannukah. Halloween. St. Patrick’s Day.
Those holidays are among the big annual religious, federal and cultural observances. But there are also a plethora of wacky days, weeks and months to celebrate that fill the gaps between major holidays.
July is National Ice Cream Month, Aug. 30 is Frankenstein
Day and Sea Otter Awareness Week takes place the last week of September.
But how do holidays start? The answer isn’t always simple, as there are different types of holidays and avenues to make each a yearly observance.
Only Congress has the power to declare an annual federal holiday. The president, however, can declare a one-time holiday by issuing an executive order.
Currently, there are only 10 federal holidays recognized by the United States government: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s birthday, George Washington’s birthday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Like the presidential executive order, local officials can proclaim a one-time day, week or month to observe, such as when Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer declared Oct. 12, 2019, Wayne Brady Day in Orlando in honor of the Emmywinning entertainer who grew up in Central Florida.
“To recognize public awareness events, arts and cultural celebrations and business openings and anniversaries, Mayor Dyer does issue ceremonial proclamations,” said Karyn Barber, City of Orlando communications manager. “At times, ceremonial proclamations are issued to recognize the achievements of an individual, group or organization. All proclamations are not annual …”
However, sometimes a business, nonprofit, individual or