National Inventors’ Day2026 · Date · History
Primary federal records show that Public Law 95-463 designated February 11, 1979 as National Inventors’ Day and authorized a Carter proclamation; later federal instruments again designated February 11 in specific years, including 1983. Modern February 11 commemoration continues, but the reviewed instruments are year-specific rather than a standing annual federal public-holiday law.
About National Inventors’ Day
National Inventors’ Day is commemorated in the United States on February 11, the birthday of Thomas Alva Edison.
Federal records show that Congress designated February 11, 1979 as National Inventors’ Day and President Jimmy Carter proclaimed that edition.
Why National Inventors’ Day matters
The day recognizes inventors and invention.
Historical federal designations for 1979 and 1983 were written for those specific dates. Modern organizations continue to mark February 11, but that continuing custom should not be confused with a standing annual federal public holiday created by those one-year instruments.
History of National Inventors’ Day
Public Law 95-463, approved October 14, 1978, designated February 11, 1979 as National Inventors’ Day and authorized a presidential proclamation.
President Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4635 on January 30, 1979 for the February 11 observance.
Congress later designated February 11, 1983 through Public Law 97-198, and President Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5013 for that edition.
Current commemorative sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau continue to recognize February 11 as National Inventors’ Day.
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 Jimmy Carter
Public Law 95-463 and Presidential Proclamation 4635
First documented observance
Public Law 95-463 and Proclamation 4635 specifically designate and call for observance on February 11, 1979; this is the earliest federal edition confirmed in this review.
Designated and proclaimed February 11, 1983 as National Inventors’ Day for that specific year.
United States Congress and President Ronald Reagan · Public Law 97-198 and Presidential Proclamation 5013
Continued modern federal-agency commemorative recognition of February 11.
U.S. Census Bureau · National Inventors’ Day commemorative feature
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
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
How to Observe National Inventors’ Day
Read about an inventor and the problem an invention addressed.
Visit a science, technology or invention museum in person or online.
Sketch an idea for improving an everyday object.
Discuss patents and intellectual-property systems at a general educational level.
National Inventors’ Day Facts
The earliest federal designation confirmed here is February 11, 1979.
Public Law 95-463 authorized the 1979 observance.
Jimmy Carter issued Proclamation 4635 for the 1979 edition.
Ronald Reagan issued Proclamation 5013 for the separately designated 1983 edition.
February 11 was chosen because it is Thomas Edison’s birthday.
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.
American Presidency Project — Proclamation 4635, National Inventors' Day, 1979 (opens in a new tab)
Presidential Proclamation Archive
American Presidency Project — Reagan Proclamation 5013 (opens in a new tab)
U.S. Census Bureau — National Inventors’ Day (opens in a new tab)
Government Commemorative Background
U.S. Statutes at Large — Public Law 95-463 (opens in a new tab)
Federal Law
U.S. Statutes at Large — Public Law 97-198 (opens in a new tab)
Federal Law
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 Inventors’ Day?
11 February each year The documented recurrence rule is: 11 February.
Does National Inventors’ Day fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is National Inventors’ Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / inventor recognition. 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 Inventors’ Day?
The reviewed sources identify United States Congress and President Jimmy Carter as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is National Inventors’ Day international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / inventor recognition.
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 2026-09-18.
When is National Inventors’ Day?
Modern commemorative practice uses February 11.
When did the documented federal history begin?
Public Law 95-463 designated February 11, 1979 as National Inventors’ Day, followed by President Jimmy Carter’s Proclamation 4635.
Was Ronald Reagan the first president to proclaim it?
No. Jimmy Carter proclaimed National Inventors’ Day for February 11, 1979; Reagan later proclaimed the separately designated February 11, 1983 edition.
Is it a standing federal public holiday?
The federal instruments confirmed here designated particular years. Modern February 11 commemoration continues, but those records do not establish a standing annual federal public holiday.
Other observances on February 11
These observances are also listed on February 11, 2027.
112 Day
The Finnish Government states that 112 Day is observed every year on 11 February to raise awareness about safety and correct use of the emergency number.
Digital Learning Day
All4Ed launched the first national Digital Learning Day on 1 February 2012 and currently marks the campaign on the second Thursday in February.
Giving Hearts Day
Current Giving Hearts Day and Dakota Medical Foundation material identifies the event as a 24-hour giving day for charities in North Dakota and northwest Minnesota, founded in 2008 and held…
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
A/RES/70/212
National Foundation Day
Prime Minister’s Office of Japan
Peppermint Patty Day
Two Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals chapter calendars list Peppermint Patty Day on 11 February.