What is the history of national observances?
We do not know when the practice of promoting national observances began or the date of the first national health awareness. You may wish to search the printed United States Statutes at Large, which has published every public and private law, concurrent resolutions, proclamations by the Presidents, and so forth, passed by Congress since 1845. Alternately, you may wish to contact the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration, which prepares and publishes the current Statues at Large.
