United StatesCongress would set an annual day to remember slavery
Congress would designate August 20 each year to remember slavery and ask the President to call on people to mark the day with ceremonies and activities.
What it does
Congress would designate August 20 each year as Slavery Remembrance Day, condemn slavery and its lasting effects, and encourage people to recognize the day’s importance.
Congress would ask the President to call on people in the United States to mark the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. The President would not be required to issue a proclamation.
Argument forAn annual day and requested presidential proclamation could help people across the country remember slavery and join ceremonies or other activities.
Argument againstBecause the President is only asked to issue a proclamation and people are only encouraged to observe the day, participation could be limited.
More detail
Congress would designate August 20 each year as Slavery Remembrance Day, condemn slavery and its lasting effects, and encourage people to remember slavery. The designation and encouragement apply nationally. The day would be designated annually on August 20.
Congress would authorize and request the President to issue a proclamation calling on people to observe the day. The request concerns people in the United States observing Slavery Remembrance Day. The proclamation is requested, not required. People are called upon to observe the day; the resolution does not require them to do so. The proclamation would concern the annual observance on August 20.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Introduced in SenateLatest
- Sep 30Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.Introduced
Civil Rights & Voting