For the first time since 1988 the US government said it will no longer commemorate World Aids Day, which honors those who have lost their lives to the disease, celebrates efforts to combat the epidemic and raises awareness.
“An awareness day is not a strategy,” a state department spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, told the New York Times.
However, since returning to office Donald Trump has signed multiple proclamations for awareness days – and awareness weeks and awareness months – on topics that are apparently more to his liking. They include:
Anti-communism week
Trump proclaimed the week of 2–8 November one of observance as a “solemn remembrance of the devastation caused by one of history’s most destructive ideologies” and a renewal of the national promise to stand firm against communism. The proclamation coincided with the election of democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as mayor of New York City, whom Trump painted as a “communist lunatic”.
National energy dominance month
Trump issued the proclamation in October, changing what was previously called national energy awareness month, promoting energy efficiency, into a call for “maximum production, maximum prosperity, and maximum power”. Framing energy prices as a “national energy emergency”, Trump announced a commitment to policies focused on maximizing domestic production of oil, natural gas, coal and critical minerals. “This month, we continue our crusade to bring back American energy dominance,” the proclamation reads.
Leif Erikson day
Trump has declared Leif Erikson day every year he has been in office, including signing proclamations in 2017, 2020, and 2025, based on a 1964 law designating it on 9 October. The day honors “the heroic life” of the Norse explorer, who is believed to have been the first European to land in North America.
Columbus Day
A federal holiday since 1934, Columbus Day has in recent years been observed in many cities and states as Indigenous Peoples’ Day, in recognition of Columbus’s controversial legacy, particularly the suffering and horrendous treatment of Native Americans under colonization; Joe Biden became the first US president proclaim it as such. Trump swiftly did the opposite, restating his administration’s commitment to Columbus Day and “to reclaim [Columbus’] extraordinary legacy of faith, courage, perseverance, and virtue from the left-wing arsonists who have sought to destroy his name and dishonor his memory”.
National manufacturing day
Trump has issued proclamations to mark national manufacturing day every year he’s been in office (as have past presidents since 2012 on other dates) on 3October. In this year’s proclamation Trump touts his tariff policy, cutting red tape, rejecting “the Green New Scam agenda”, and his drive for America to manufacture products at home. He calls upon Americans “to celebrate the entrepreneurs, innovators, and workers in manufacturing who are making our communities strong”.
Overdose prevention week
Trump has not stopped commemorating public health epidemics that he deems important. The president officially established the week of 31 August to 6 September as overdose prevention week, coinciding with international overdose awareness day, which is recognized every year on 31 August. Trump called upon Americans to observe the week with “appropriate programs, ceremonies, religious services, and other activities that raise awareness about the prescription opioid and drug overdose epidemic”. Touting his tough immigration and border policies, and his efforts to classify fentanyl-related compounds as Schedule I drugs and designate cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, it reads: “We remember those who lost their lives to overdose, we stand beside the families left to grieve, and we renew our solemn commitment to ending this epidemic once and for all.”
Cancer control month
Trump also still proclaims cancer control month to “honor” and “celebrate” survivors of cancer, to remember “beloved family members and friends that we have lost to this devastating disease”, and to recommit “to pursuing groundbreaking medical advancement and spearheading innovative treatments to combat and prevent all forms of cancer”.
Made in America week
In line with his America First vision, Trump proclaimed the week of 20-26 July Made in America Week, after issuing similar proclamations with different dates in 2017 and 2018. He calls upon to Americans “to pay special tribute to the builders, the ranchers, the crafters, the entrepreneurs, and all those who work with their hands every day to make America great”.
250th anniversary of the Battle of Bunker Hill
As part of the broader commemoration of the nation’s 250-year anniversary next year, Trump issued a proclamation on 17 June declaring that day as a day of remembrance for “the courage, determination, and selflessness of the patriots who fought at Bunker Hill”.
101st anniversary of United States border patrol
Trump issued a proclamation on 28 May honoring 101 years of US border patrol. “We honor the thousands of patriots who dedicate their careers to defending our borders and upholding the rule of law, even in the face of grave danger and tremendous risk,” it reads. “Above all, we pay tribute to every brave soul who has perished in the line of duty while proudly serving our Nation.”
Victory Day for the second world war
Trump issued a proclamation designating 8 May as Victory Day for the second world war. The choice of date left many historians and commentators flummoxed, given that while it marks the day in 1945 that Nazi Germany surrendered, US troops continued to fight for several more months in the Pacific theater until Japan finally surrendered on 2 September.
418th anniversary of the first landing and the raising of Cape Henry Cross
Trump became the first president to commemorate the anniversary of the Cape Henry Landing by issuing a proclamation. “The seeds of America’s destiny were sown when this courageous band of Christians erected a towering wooden cross at the crest of Cape Henry, Virginia,” it reads. “Our Nation honors the heroic souls whose faithful devotion and uncommon courage more than 400 years ago foreshadowed the birth of the greatest Republic in the history of the world – and it is in their memory that we pledge to forge a future that always celebrates our history, honors our heritage, and glorifies our God Almighty.”
… and more: Trump has also issued proclamations for many other pre-existing events – several of them health-related – that are typically marked every year by the sitting president (or have been in the past), including the national Days of Remembrance for victims of the Holocaust, national mental health awareness month, and World Autism Awareness Day.
