Section 169h · National Day of Prayer

Amended 2 times on record

Applied in 2 court decisions — leading case Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Most recently applied (July 1971)

The President shall set aside and proclaim the first Thursday in May in each year as a National Day of Prayer, on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals.

Editorial notes U.S. Code · Office of the Law Revision Counsel

Codification

Section was formerly classified to section 185 of this title.

Amendments

1988—Pub. L. 100–307 substituted “the first Thursday in May in each year” for “a suitable day each year, other than a Sunday,”.