Thomas Jefferson's birthday2026 · Date · History
36 U.S.C. §141 requires an annual presidential proclamation inviting April 13 commemoration of Thomas Jefferson’s birthday and flag display on federal buildings. The source resolution dates to 1937; Proclamation 2276 implemented the framework in 1938. Current White House recognition confirms continuing commemorative use without creating a general federal closure holiday.
About Thomas Jefferson's birthday
Thomas Jefferson’s birthday is federally commemorated in the United States on April 13. Current 36 U.S.C. §141 directs the President to issue an annual proclamation calling for flags on federal government buildings and inviting commemorative ceremonies.
The federal framework traces to a 1937 congressional resolution and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Proclamation 2276 in 1938.
Why Thomas Jefferson's birthday matters
The observance commemorates the birth of Thomas Jefferson, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States.
A historical commemoration can acknowledge public achievements without turning biography into uncritical celebration. The legal observance itself does not establish April 13 as a general federal day off.
History of Thomas Jefferson's birthday
Congress approved Public Resolution No. 60 on August 16, 1937, directing an annual presidential proclamation for April 13.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Proclamation 2276 on March 21, 1938, calling for observance on April 13, 1938 and succeeding years.
Current 36 U.S.C. §141 continues the annual proclamation framework. The White House also issued a presidential message for Jefferson’s birthday on April 13, 2026.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
United States Congress
Congress enacted Public Resolution No. 60 in 1937, creating the annual proclamation framework.
United States Congress / President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Public Resolution No. 60, 75th Congress / Presidential Proclamation 2276
First documented observance
The 1938 proclamation called for observance on April 13, 1938 and each succeeding April 13.
Recodified the birthday commemoration at 36 U.S.C. §141 while continuing the annual proclamation framework.
United States Congress · Public Law 105-225, Title 36 recodification
President of the United States and federal officials
36 U.S.C. §141 directs annual presidential proclamation and flag display on federal government buildings.
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.
2 fields not established in reviewed sources
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
Thomas Jefferson Day
How to Observe Thomas Jefferson's birthday
Read 36 U.S.C. §141 and historical proclamation material to understand the federal observance’s actual legal scope.
Visit or use reputable museum, archive or educational resources about Jefferson and the early United States.
Compare primary documents with modern historical scholarship, including the broader social and political context of Jefferson’s life.
Do not assume that federal commemoration of April 13 creates automatic school, business or government-office closures.
Thomas Jefferson's birthday Facts
Thomas Jefferson’s birthday is commemorated on April 13.
36 U.S.C. §141 directs the President to issue an annual proclamation for the date.
The source federal resolution was approved on August 16, 1937.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Proclamation 2276 in 1938 for April 13, 1938 and succeeding years.
Jefferson was born in 1743; under the modern Gregorian/New Style calendar his birth date is April 13.
The observance is commemorative and is not established by §141 as a general federal closure holiday.
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.
The White House — Presidential Message on the Birthday of Thomas Jefferson, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Executive Branch Current Recognition
U.S. Code — 36 USC §141, Thomas Jefferson's birthday (opens in a new tab)
Federal Statute
U.S. Government Publishing Office — 1938 catalog entry for Proclamation 2276 (opens in a new tab)
Federal Archive
Monticello — Old Style calendar (opens in a new tab)
Historical Institution
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 Thomas Jefferson's birthday?
13 April annually The documented recurrence rule is: 13 April.
Does Thomas Jefferson's birthday fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Thomas Jefferson's birthday an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: United States / federal birthday commemoration. 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 Thomas Jefferson's birthday?
The reviewed sources identify United States Congress / President Franklin D. Roosevelt as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as United States Congress. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as President of the United States and federal officials.
Is Thomas Jefferson's birthday international or country-specific?
This observance is specific to United States. Its fuller verified scope is: United States / federal birthday commemoration.
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 2026-10-04.
When is Thomas Jefferson’s birthday commemorated?
The federal observance is on April 13.
What does 36 U.S.C. §141 require?
It directs the President to issue an annual proclamation calling for the U.S. flag to be displayed on federal government buildings and inviting commemorative observances on April 13.
When did the federal framework begin?
Congress approved the source resolution in 1937, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued Proclamation 2276 in 1938.
Why do some older records show April 2?
Jefferson was born under the Old Style calendar on April 2, 1743; the corresponding New Style date is April 13.
Is April 13 a general federal public holiday?
No. The reviewed federal provision establishes commemorative duties and invitations, not a general nationwide closure day.
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