National Freedom of Information Day2026 · Date · History
National Freedom of Information Day is observed on March 16, James Madison’s birthday. Congress designated March 16, 1987 as Freedom of Information Day in Public Law 99-539 and President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5620 for that 1987 observance; the National Freedom of Information Coalition documents the modern recurring March 16 observance alongside Sunshine Week.
About National Freedom of Information Day
National Freedom of Information Day is observed on March 16, the birthday of James Madison, as an open-government and public-access awareness day.
The National Freedom of Information Coalition describes March 16 as National Freedom of Information Day and places it alongside Sunshine Week.
Why National Freedom of Information Day matters
The day focuses on public access to government information, transparency and the civic value of an informed public.
Its modern recurring use should be distinguished from the federal legal action that designated March 16, 1987 specifically.
History of National Freedom of Information Day
Congress enacted Public Law 99-539 designating March 16, 1987 as Freedom of Information Day.
President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5620 on March 16, 1987 and tied the date to James Madison’s birthday.
The National Freedom of Information Coalition documents continuing March 16 observance in connection with Sunshine Week.
The reviewed federal instrument is year-specific to 1987; it is not presented here as a permanent federal public holiday statute.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
United States Congress and President Ronald Reagan for the 1987 federal observance
Public Law 99-539 and Presidential Proclamation 5620 (1987 observance)
First documented observance
Public Law 99-539 and Proclamation 5620 establish the specific 1987 observance.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
4 fields not established in reviewed sources
Also known as
Freedom of Information Day
How to Observe National Freedom of Information Day
Read public-records and open-government guidance from reputable civic, legal or government sources.
Learn how federal, state or local public-records processes differ before filing a request.
Discuss transparency and access using sourced examples rather than partisan assumptions.
Protect personal privacy and legally restricted information when discussing disclosure issues.
Use current legal guidance for actual records requests because procedures and exemptions can change.
National Freedom of Information Day Facts
National Freedom of Information Day is associated with March 16.
March 16 is James Madison’s birthday.
Public Law 99-539 designated March 16, 1987 as Freedom of Information Day.
President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5620 for the 1987 observance.
NFOIC documents modern recurring March 16 observance alongside Sunshine Week.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
GovInfo — Proclamation 5620, Freedom of Information Day, 1987 (opens in a new tab)
Federal Government Proclamation
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library — Proclamation 5620 (opens in a new tab)
Federal Presidential Archive
National Freedom of Information Coalition — Sunshine Week (opens in a new tab)
Open Government Organization Current
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is National Freedom of Information Day?
16 March annually The documented recurrence rule is: 16 March.
Does National Freedom of Information Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is National Freedom of Information Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: U.S. open-government and freedom-of-information awareness observance associated with Sunshine Week. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes National Freedom of Information Day?
The reviewed sources identify United States Congress and President Ronald Reagan for the 1987 federal observance as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is National Freedom of Information Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: U.S. open-government and freedom-of-information awareness observance associated with Sunshine Week.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-30.
When is National Freedom of Information Day?
It is observed on March 16.
Why March 16?
The 1987 presidential proclamation chose James Madison’s birthday for the observance.
Was it established by federal law?
Congress designated March 16, 1987 specifically in Public Law 99-539, followed by Proclamation 5620. That year-specific federal action should not be described as a permanent annual federal holiday law.
Is it still observed?
Yes. The National Freedom of Information Coalition documents modern March 16 observance in connection with Sunshine Week.
Other observances on March 16
These observances are also listed on March 16, 2027.
Black Press Day
March 16 recurrence is supported by the Congressional Record (2000), New York Assembly Resolution K233 (2025), and current NNPA/Howard programming around the March 16, 1827 Freedom’s Journa…
Lips Appreciation Day
The first-party Wellcat Holidays calendar lists Lips Appreciation Day on March 16 and states that Wellcat Holidays were created by Thomas and Ruth Roy. Wellcat’s About page independently de…
National Vaccination Day (India)
Press Information Bureau, Government of India
World Social Work Day
IFSW records that member organizations approved an international social work day at the 2004 Adelaide General Meeting, the first World Social Work Day was celebrated in 2007, and the third-…