White Cane Safety Day

National observance in the United States
White Cane Safety Day
DateOctober 15
Next timeOctober 15, 2024 (2024-10-15)
Frequencyannual
A long white cane
A long white cane, the symbol of White Cane Safety Day

White Cane Safety Day is a national observance in the United States, celebrated on October 15 of each year since 1964. The date is set aside to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the white cane.

On October 6, 1964, a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress, H.R. 753, was signed into law as Pub. L.Tooltip Public Law (United States) 88–628, and codified at 36 U.S.C. § 142. This resolution authorized the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as "White Cane Safety Day".

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the first White Cane Safety Day proclamation within hours of the passage of the joint resolution.

In 2011, White Cane Safety Day was also named Blind Americans Equality Day by President Barack Obama.[1]

Notes

  1. ^ Obama, Barack (October 14, 2011). "Presidential Proclamation -- Blind Americans Equality Day, 2011". whitehouse.gov – via National Archives.

External links

  • White Cane Safety Day: A Symbol of Independence (article from the National Federation of the Blind web site)
  • White Cane Safety Day celebration website
  • 36 U.S.C. § 142
  • Special Postal Cover and Cancellation on occasion of 2009 International White Cane Safety Day, 15 Oct 2009, launched at GPO Bangalore

Sample proclamations

  • 2005
  • 2007
  • 2009
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