Title 36, Patriotic and National ObservancesRelease 119-102
§119 National Day of Prayer
Title 36 › Subtitle I — Patriotic and National Observances and Ceremonies › Part A — Observances and Ceremonies › CHAPTER 1 — PATRIOTIC AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES › § 119
Summary
President must yearly name first Thursday in May National Day of Prayer; people may pray or meditate.
Full Legal Text
Title 36, §119
Patriotic and National Observances, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The President shall issue each year a proclamation designating the first Thursday in May as a National Day of Prayer on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 11936:169h.Apr. 17, 1952, ch. 216, 66 Stat. 64; May 5, 1988, Pub. L. 100–307, 102 Stat. 456.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
36 U.S.C. § 119
Title 36, Patriotic and National Observances
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102