National Defense Transportation Day in United States

National Defense Transportation Day, which occurs annually on the third Friday of May, remembers the contributions of people working in the United States' transport industry. It is part of National Transportation Week.

National Defense Transportation Day recognizes those who work in the transport industry and who contribute to the nation's wellbeing and defense. ©iStockphoto.com/Nikada

What do people do?

National Defense Transportation Day recognizes the men and women who work in the transportation industry and who contribute to the nation’s well-being and defense. The day falls within National Transportation Week (May 11-17), which hosts a wide range of activities including: poster contests for schools; educational expos on transport; and programs with guest speakers.

Public life

National Defense Transportation Day is an observance and is not a public holiday in the United States.

Background

On May 16, 1957, Congress approved for the third Friday of May each year to be designated as National Defense Transportation Day. In 1962 Congress updated their request to include the whole week within which the Friday falls as National Transportation Week.

The President is requested to issue each year a proclamation to: designate the third Friday in May as National Defense Transportation Day; and urge people to observe the day by appropriate ceremonies that recognize the importance of the country’s transportation system and the maintenance of its facilities to serve the needs of the United States in times of peace and in national defense.

National Defense Transportation Day Observances

Other holidays in May 2012 in United States

• Loyalty Day ―Tuesday, May 1, 2012
• Law Day ―Tuesday, May 1, 2012
• World Press Freedom Day ―Thursday, May 3, 2012
• National Day of Prayer ―Thursday, May 3, 2012
• Rhode Island Independence Day ―Friday, May 4, 2012
• Cinco de Mayo ―Saturday, May 5, 2012
• National Nurses Day ―Sunday, May 6, 2012
• Primary Election Day West Virginia ―Tuesday, May 8, 2012
• Primary Election Day Indiana ―Tuesday, May 8, 2012
• Truman Day ―Tuesday, May 8, 2012
• Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War ―Tuesday, May 8, 2012
• Lag B'Omer ―Thursday, May 10, 2012
• Confederate Memorial Day ―Thursday, May 10, 2012
• World Migratory Bird Day ―Saturday, May 12, 2012
• Mother's Day ―Sunday, May 13, 2012
• Peace Officers Memorial Day ―Tuesday, May 15, 2012
• International Day of Families ―Tuesday, May 15, 2012
• World Information Society Day ―Thursday, May 17, 2012
• Ascension Day ―Thursday, May 17, 2012
• Armed Forces Day ―Saturday, May 19, 2012
• World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development ―Monday, May 21, 2012
• International Day for Biological Diversity ―Tuesday, May 22, 2012
• National Maritime Day ―Tuesday, May 22, 2012
• Towel Day ―Friday, May 25, 2012
• National Missing Children's Day ―Friday, May 25, 2012
• African Liberation Day ―Friday, May 25, 2012
• Shavuot ―Sunday, May 27, 2012
• Pentecost ―Sunday, May 27, 2012
• Memorial Day ―Monday, May 28, 2012
• Whit Monday ―Monday, May 28, 2012
• Jefferson Davis Birthday ―Monday, May 28, 2012
• International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers ―Tuesday, May 29, 2012
• World No Tobacco Day ―Thursday, May 31, 2012