National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
H.Res.1294 and the House roll-call record support designation of the first Saturday in May as National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day; EOD Warrior Foundation material confirms the current memorial observance and its older memorial tradition.
About National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day
National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day, often shortened to National EOD Day, is observed on the first Saturday in May in the United States to honor people who serve or have served in military explosive ordnance disposal.
A 2010 U.S. House resolution supported designation of the first Saturday in May for the observance, while the EOD community’s memorial tradition predates that congressional recognition.
Why National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day matters
The day centers remembrance, service and support for EOD personnel, fallen technicians and their families.
It is not a federal legal holiday and is not an occasion for members of the public to handle, inspect or attempt to dispose of suspected explosive items.
History of National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day
The EOD Memorial tradition dates to the late 1960s; the EOD Warrior Foundation says senior officers formed the memorial committee in 1969.
In 2010, H.Res.1294 expressed U.S. House support for designating the first Saturday in May as National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day.
The EOD Warrior Foundation continues to describe National EOD Day and the annual EOD Memorial Ceremony as occurring on the first Saturday in May.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
EOD Memorial Ceremony
The EOD Memorial tradition predates the 2010 House recognition and remains central to the first-Saturday-in-May observance.
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, with Rep. Dan Boren
GovInfo records H.Res.1294 as submitted by Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite for herself and Rep. Dan Boren.
U.S. House of Representatives
H.Res.1294 (111th Congress)
EOD Warrior Foundation / EOD community memorial organizers
The Foundation maintains the EOD Memorial and describes current National EOD Day memorial events.
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
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
Also known as
National EOD Day
How to Observe National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day
Attend or view an authorized memorial event if you have a connection to the EOD community.
Learn about the history and service of military EOD personnel from official military or recognized EOD-community sources.
Support reputable organizations that assist EOD personnel, veterans and families.
If you encounter a suspected explosive or military ordnance item, do not touch, move or investigate it; leave the area and contact the appropriate local emergency authorities.
National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day Facts
National EOD Day is observed on the first Saturday in May.
H.Res.1294 in the 111th Congress supported that designation in 2010.
The EOD Memorial tradition predates the 2010 congressional recognition.
The observance is commemorative and does not authorize civilian explosive-handling or disposal activity.
National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day Messages
Remembering fallen EOD technicians and recognizing those who continue to serve.
National EOD Day is a time for remembrance, gratitude and support for the EOD community.
Honoring the EOD professionals whose service demands discipline, courage and teamwork.
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.
- Remembrance Civic Context Care.
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 — H.Res.1294 (opens in a new tab)
Government
U.S. House Clerk — Roll Call 200 (opens in a new tab)
Government
EOD Warrior Foundation — EOD Memorial (opens in a new tab)
Organizer
EOD Warrior Foundation — current National EOD Day/EOD Weekend event listings (opens in a new tab)
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 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day?
First Saturday in May; 2 May in 2026 The documented recurrence rule is: First Saturday in May.
Does National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: U.S. recognition and memorial context for explosive ordnance disposal personnel. 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 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day?
The reviewed sources identify U.S. House of Representatives as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, with Rep. Dan Boren. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as EOD Warrior Foundation / EOD community memorial organizers.
Is National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: U.S. recognition and memorial context for explosive ordnance disposal personnel.
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 2026-09-21.
When is National EOD Day?
It is observed on the first Saturday in May.
Is National EOD Day a federal holiday?
No. A 2010 House resolution supported the designation, but it is not a federal legal holiday.
What does the day honor?
It honors people who serve or have served in U.S. military explosive ordnance disposal and remembers fallen EOD technicians.
Should the public handle suspected ordnance as part of the day?
No. Never touch or attempt to move suspected explosive or military ordnance; leave the area and contact appropriate local emergency authorities.
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