history

In 2008, Child Health Day celebrates its 80th birthday!

Since 1928, the President has proclaimed one day each year National Child Health Day and people across America have worked together to prevent problems and improve childhood health.

For the first 32 years, the day was observed on May 1, but since 1960, Child Health Day is observed the first Monday in October.

Calvin Coolidge was the first President to issue a Child Health Day Proclamation, prompted by the the American Federation of Labor and the General Federation of Women's Clubs when it looked like a Congressional resolution might not be passed in time for the May 1 celebration. On April 27, the White House asked the Secretary of the Treasury for a recommendation on issuing a Child Health Day Proclamation. The response was immediate: "The promotion of Child Health Day is a highly commendable object. The issuance of a proclamation designating a ‘Child Health Day' would undoubtedly have influence in focusing public attention on this matter."

President Coolidge issued the first National Child Health Day
proclamation the very next day:

WHEREAS the protection and development of the health of the children of today are fundamental necessities to the future progress and welfare of the Nation;

AND WHEREAS, the conservation and promotion of child health places upon us a grave responsibility;

AND WHEREAS, it is appropriate that a day should be set apart each year for the direction of our thoughts towards the health and well-being of our children;

NOW, therefore, I, Calvin Coolidge, President of the United States of America, do hereby set apart May 1 of this year as Child Health Day and do invite the people of the United States and all agencies and organizations interested in child welfare to unite upon that day in the observance of such exercises as will acquaint the people of the Nation with the fundamental necessity of a year-round program for the protection and development of the health of the Nation's children.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Congress completed its deliberations soon thereafter and on May 18 approved its Joint Resolution that reads:

Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, that the President of the United States is hereby authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation setting apart May 1 of each year as Child Health Day and invite all agencies and organizations interested in child welfare to be united upon that day in the observance of such exercises as will awaken the people of the Nation to the fundamental necessity of a year-round program for the protection and development of the health of the Nation's children.

Over the years, National Child Health Day has focused America's attention on some of the most urgent child health issues of the day:

  • prenatal care
  • adolescent health issues
  • day care on child development
  • childhood injury prevention
  • immunization.

This year's focus on obesity prevention recognizes that overweight kids are everyone's concern.

  • Help kids stay active!
  • Encourage healthy eating habits!
  • Promote healthy choices!