Welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: August 2022: International Clown Week. I don’t know about you but I love CLOWNS and I’m very happy to celebrate Clowns. Although, if Suzzie was here she would sit this holiday out as Clowns scared here. How about you. Do you like Clowns?
International Clown Week – always August 1-7
International Clown Week: always August 1 – 7
National Clown Day: Saturday of International Clown Week
History and Origin of International Clown Week and National Clown Day:
International Clown Week: always August 1st – 7th. National Clown Day: Saturday of International Clown Week. Both International Clown Week and National Clown Day were created to give recognition to those Clowns that make us laugh. It is estimated that there are over 10,00o Clowns in organized Clown groups, and over 20,000 Clowns world-wide.
Clowns all have one goal in mind, and that’s to make us happy. On this holiday, Clowns around the world do what they do best clown around, holding events at Malls, Nursing Homes, schools, and educational events. Originally, this event was called “National Clown Week”. In 1991, the group Clowns of America renamed the holiday “International Clown Week”, recognizing that there are many Clowns around the world, and this event should be a world-wide celebration. You can celebrate just the day, or the whole week. I hope a Clown brightens up your day.
History and Origin of International Clown Week and National Clown Day:
On October 8th, 1970 a joint resolution was passed in Congress (Public Law 91-443), authorizing and requesting the President of the United States to issue a proclamation making August 1-7, 1971 National Clown Week. On August 2nd, 1971 U.S. President Richard Nixon issued Proclamation 4071 , making August 1-7, 1971 National Clown Week. While the proclamation and resolution was made for a specific date and year, this celebration of Clowns has occurred at exactly the same time every year which is always August 1st-7th.
Note: Some sources incorrectly report International Clown Week and/or National Clown Day in October. We believe this is because the Congressional resolution was made in October. But, the resolution clearly made it August of the following year (1971). It is uncertain how and when National Clown Day, came into being.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
