1997 U.S. Code
Title 36 - PATRIOTIC SOCIETIES AND OBSERVANCES
CHAPTER 9 - NATIONAL OBSERVANCES
Sec. 146 - Second Monday in October as Columbus Day

The President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation designating the second Monday in October of each year as Columbus Day and calling upon officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on said date and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies expressive of the public sentiment befitting the anniversary of the discovery of America.

(Apr. 30, 1934, ch. 184, 48 Stat. 657; June 28, 1968, Pub. L. 90–363, §1(b), 82 Stat. 250.)

References to the second Monday in October were substituted for references to October 12, effective Jan. 1, 1971, pursuant to section 1(b) of Pub. L. 90–363 which is set out as a note captioned “References in Laws of the United States to Observances of Legal Public Holidays” under section 6103 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

Pub. L. 98–375, Aug. 7, 1984, 98 Stat. 1257, as amended by Pub. L. 100–94, Aug. 18, 1987, 101 Stat. 700, provided for creation of Christopher Columbus Quincentenary Jubilee Commission, a 30-member commission appointed by the President, which was to prepare a comprehensive program for commemorating the quincentennial of the voyages of discovery of Columbus and to plan, encourage, coordinate, and conduct observances and activities. The Commission would submit a final report to Congress no later than Dec. 31, 1993, and would terminate as of that date.

Occasions for display of flag, see section 174 of this title.