TITLE 53. SUNDAYS, HOLIDAYS, AND OTHER SPECIAL DAYS
CHAPTER 3. Special Days
SECTION 53-3-10. Arbor Day.
The first Friday of December of each year is set apart as Arbor Day and as a part of the observance of Arbor Day the officials, teachers, supervisors, principals and superintendents of the public schools are directed to observe the first Friday in December in each year as South Carolina Arbor Day with appropriate ceremonies, including the planting of trees on school property, and all civic, patriotic and fraternal organizations are requested to lend their assistance in the observance of such day in an appropriate manner.
HISTORY: 1962 Code § 64-101; 1952 Code § 64-101; 1942 Code § 5387; 1940 (41) 1824.
SECTION 53-3-20. Frances Willard Day.
The fourth Friday in October in each year shall be set apart and designated in the public schools as Frances Willard Day and in each public school it shall be the duty of such school to prepare and render a suitable program on the day to the end that the children of the State may be taught the evils of intemperance.
HISTORY: 1962 Code § 64-102; 1952 Code § 64-102; 1942 Code § 5389; 1932 Code § 5433; Civ. C. '22 § 2698; 1918 (30) 791.
SECTION 53-3-30. General Pulaski's Memorial Day.
The Governor shall issue a proclamation calling upon officials of the government to display the flag of the United States on all governmental buildings on October eleventh of each year and inviting the people of the State to observe the day in schools and churches or other suitable places with appropriate ceremonies in commemoration of the death of General Casimir Pulaski.
HISTORY: 1962 Code § 64-103; 1952 Code § 64-103; 1942 Code § 5390; 1932 (37) 1268.
SECTION 53-3-35. General Francis Marion Memorial Day.
The twenty-seventh day of February of each year is designated as "General Francis Marion Memorial Day" in honor of this South Carolina Revolutionary War hero.
HISTORY: 2007 Act No. 18, § 2, eff May 2, 2007.
SECTION 53-3-40. Mother's Day.
The Governor is requested to issue annually a proclamation calling upon the State officials to display the United States  flag and the flag of this State on all State and school buildings and the people of the State to display the flag at their homes, lodges, churches, places of business and other suitable places on the second Sunday in May, known as Mother's Day, founded by Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a public expression of love and reverence for the homes of the State, especially for their mothers and other patriotic women therein, and the Governor is requested to urge the celebration of Mother's Day in such proclamation in such a way as will deepen home ties and inspire better homes and closer union between the State, its homes and their sons and daughters.
HISTORY: 1962 Code § 64-104; 1952 Code § 64-104; 1942 Code § 5704; 1932 Code § 5704; 1923 (33) 240.
SECTION 53-3-45. Family Respect Day.
The Friday immediately preceding Mother's Day of each year is designated "Family Respect Day" in recognition of the important role the family unit plays in a healthy and productive society.
HISTORY: 2001 Act No. 4, § 5, eff November 30, 2000.
SECTION 53-3-50. Grandmother's Day.
The second Sunday in October of each year is hereby officially designated "Grandmother's Day" in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 1962 Code § 64-104.1; 1970 (56) 2278.
SECTION 53-3-60. South Carolina Day.
The public schools shall observe Calhoun's birthday, the eighteenth of March of each year, as South Carolina Day and on that day the school officers and teachers shall conduct such exercises as will conduce to a more general knowledge and appreciation of the history, resources and possibilities of this State. If such day shall fall on Saturday or Sunday the Friday nearest to March eighteenth shall be so observed and if any school shall not be in session on such date, the celebration may be held before the close of the term. The State Superintendent of Education shall suggest such topics or programs as he may deem appropriate for the celebration of South Carolina Day.
HISTORY: 1962 Code § 64-105; 1952 Code § 64-105; 1942 Code § 5388; 1932 Code § 5432; Civ. C. '22 § 2697; Civ. C. '12 § 1810; 1906 (25) 22.
SECTION 53-3-65. Spirit of '45 Day.
The second Sunday in August is hereby designated as "Spirit of '45 Day" to commemorate the anniversary of the end of World War II.
HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 257 (H.4788), § 1, eff June 6, 2014.
SECTION 53-3-70. Loyalty Day.
May first of every year shall be designated as Loyalty Day in this State.
HISTORY: 1962 Code § 64-106; 1957 (50) 127.
SECTION 53-3-75. Eartha Kitt Day.
January seventeenth of each year, the birthday of the late actress, singer, and native South Carolinian Eartha Mae Kitt, is declared to be "Eartha Kitt Day" in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 2016 Act No. 171 (H.3036), § 2, eff May 12, 2016.
SECTION 53-3-80. Martin Luther King Day.
The third Monday of January of each year, is declared to be Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 1975 (59) 34; 2000 Act No. 246, § 2, eff May 1, 2000.
SECTION 53-3-85. Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Day; World Sickle Cell Day.
(A) The nineteenth day of June of each year is designated as "Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom Day" to commemorate and reflect on the freedom of African Americans and their contributions to this State and nation.
(B) In addition to the provisions of subsection (A), the nineteenth day of June of each year also is recognized as "Sickle Cell Day in South Carolina" in commemoration of "World Sickle Cell Day" as created by the United Nations by resolution. The African Union (2005), the UNESCO (2005), the WHO (2006), and the United Nations (2008) recognize sickle cell disease as a public health priority with an estimated five hundred thousand persons born each year with the disease. The nineteenth day of June has been chosen to raise awareness of the genetic disease and support and encourage research, treatment, and management of sickle cell disease.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 228, § 2, eff May 14, 2008; 2018 Act No. 237 (H.3195), § 1, eff May 17, 2018.
SECTION 53-3-90. Family Week designated.
The last week in August of each year is declared "Family Week in South Carolina." The Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism shall develop a plan to promote the celebration of Family Week. The plan shall include, but not be limited to, the promotion of local festivals, pageants, field days, picnics, reunions and similar activities which would encourage participation by families as a unit.
HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 398 § 1.
SECTION 53-3-100. Family Week: creation of committee to choose "South Carolina Family of the Year".
A committee is created to choose and honor the "South Carolina Family of the Year" which must be recognized by the presentation of an appropriate award by the Governor on Saturday of "Family Week in South Carolina". The committee is composed of one member appointed by the Governor and one member appointed by the head of each of the following state agencies: the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism, the Department of Youth Services, the South Carolina Commission on Aging, the Department of Social Services, the Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, and the Department of Agriculture Clemson College Extension Service. The terms of the members are for four years and until their successors are appointed and qualify. The committee shall meet as soon after the appointment of its members as practicable and organize by electing one of its members as chairman, one as secretary, and such other officers that it may determine. The expenses of the committee must be paid by the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism from funds appropriated for this purpose.
HISTORY: 1978 Act No. 398 § 2; 1988 Act No. 600.
SECTION 53-3-105. Fibromyalgia Awareness Day.
The twelfth day of May of each year is designated as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in South Carolina to educate employers, physicians, and citizens of South Carolina of the debilitating effects of fibromyalgia.
HISTORY: 2008 Act No. 196, § 2, eff April 15, 2008.
SECTION 53-3-110. Garden Week designated.
The week beginning the first Sunday of June each year is designated "Garden Week".
HISTORY: 1982 Act No. 364.
SECTION 53-3-115. Golden-September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.
The month of September of every year is declared "Golden-September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month" in South Carolina to honor and give courage to all those children in our State who are fighting this terrible disease.
HISTORY: 2013 Act No. 25, § 2, eff May 3, 2013.
SECTION 53-3-117. Water Safety Awareness Month.
The month of May of every year is declared "Water Safety Awareness Month" in South Carolina to promote an understanding of water safety practices and the critical importance of water safety in an effort to reduce drowning deaths among children in this State.
HISTORY: 2016 Act No. 180 (H.5218), § 1, eff May 23, 2016.
SECTION 53-3-120. Purple Heart Day.
The seventh day of August of each year is designated as Purple Heart Day in South Carolina to honor the decoration itself and those men and women who have received it.
HISTORY: 2000 Act No. 342, § 1, eff June 6, 2000; 2013 Act No. 21, § 1, eff May 3, 2013.
SECTION 53-3-125. Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down Festival Weekend.
The third Saturday in September of each year is designated "Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down Festival Weekend" in South Carolina in recognition of the cultural significance of this tradition in Horry County.
HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 182 (H.4993), § 1, eff May 16, 2014.
SECTION 53-3-130. Golf week designated.
The last week in April in each year is designated as "Golf Week" in South Carolina. The Governor shall issue appropriate proclamations to commemorate "Golf Week" which must be observed throughout South Carolina with appropriate ceremonies and events to recognize the:
(1) economic impact of the golf industry in South Carolina;
(2) importance of the state's junior golfers;
(3) importance of turfgrass research.
HISTORY: 1995 Act No. 29, § 1, eff April 10, 1995.
SECTION 53-3-140. "Carolina Day" declared.
June twenty-eighth of each year, the anniversary of the Battle of Fort Sullivan in 1776, is declared to be "Carolina Day" in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 1996 Act No. 280, § 1, eff May 6, 1996.
SECTION 53-3-150. Patriot Day, Constitution Day, and Patriotism Week observations.
(A) The week which includes the eleventh day of November in each year is designated as "Patriotism Week" in South Carolina. The Governor shall issue appropriate proclamations to commemorate "Patriotism Week" which must be observed throughout South Carolina with appropriate ceremonies and events to:
(1) recognize the important contributions made by our military veterans to American society;
(2) honor the supreme sacrifices made by our veterans in defending the freedoms and protections afforded by the United States Constitution; and
(3) memorialize those men and women who lost their lives in military service.
(B) The State Superintendent of Education shall require school districts to:
(1) observe "Patriot Day", "Constitution Day", and "Patriotism Week" by holding appropriate ceremonies, events, and assemblies on school grounds, including time allotted for youth patriotic society addresses to students as provided in Section 59-1-465; and
(2) develop appropriate curricula that focus on the purposes of "Patriot Day", "Constitution Day", and "Patriotism Week".
(C) Commissioners and directors of state agencies and governing bodies of political subdivisions shall encourage participation by public employees in ceremonies and events during "Patriotism Week".
HISTORY: 2001 Act No. 4, § 6, eff November 30, 2000; 2022 Act No. 177 (S.969), § 3, eff July 1, 2023.
SECTION 53-3-160. September eleventh.
The eleventh day of September of each year is designated as a State Day of Remembrance for the victims of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and for the firefighters, law enforcement, National Guard, emergency service personnel, and 911 telecommunicators who risk their lives and contribute every day to ensure the safety of South Carolina's citizens.
HISTORY: 2002 Act No. 268, § 1, eff May 20, 2002.
SECTION 53-3-165. POW/MIA Recognition Day.
(A) The third Friday in September of each year is declared to be "POW/MIA Recognition Day" in South Carolina. The Governor shall issue a proclamation each year calling upon the people of South Carolina to observe "POW/MIA Recognition Day" with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
(B) Flags atop state and local public buildings must be flown at half-staff at least until noon on "POW/MIA Recognition Day".
(C) The POW/MIA flag shall be flown or displayed on "POW/MIA Recognition Day" in South Carolina on the grounds or in public lobbies if the flags are provided, except for the State Capitol Building and the State House grounds.
(D) As used in this section, the term "POW/MIA flag" means the National League of Families POW/MIA flag recognized officially and designated by Section 2 of Public Law 101-355.
HISTORY: 2004 Act No. 192, § 2, eff March 26, 2004.
SECTION 53-3-166. Bill of Rights Day.
(A) December fifteenth of each year, the anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution, is declared to be "Bill of Rights Day" in South Carolina.
(B) All governmental bodies in the State are encouraged to observe the annual Bill of Rights Day in a manner that brings to mind the meaning and importance of each of its ten provisions.
HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 295, § 1, eff May 31, 2006.
SECTION 53-3-170. South Carolina State Guard Week.
The first week of June of each year is designated as South Carolina State Guard Week."
HISTORY: 2004 Act No. 240, § 1, eff May 24, 2004.
SECTION 53-3-185. Vietnam Veterans Survivors' and Remembrance Day.
The first Friday in May of each year is declared to be "Vietnam Veterans Survivors' and Remembrance Day" in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 2006 Act No. 268, § 2, eff May 2, 2006.
SECTION 53-3-195. Veterans' Spouses and Families Day.
In gratitude and acknowledgment of the many and varied contributions of the spouses and families of this country's veterans and their sacrifices for the benefit of the freedom we so richly enjoy, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day each year is designated as "A Day of Recognition for Veterans' Spouses and Families" in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 2014 Act No. 204 (H.4527), § 1, eff June 2, 2014.
SECTION 53-3-200. Italian American Heritage Month.
The month of October of every year is designated "Italian American Heritage Month" in South Carolina in order to recognize Italian Americans for their many contributions to our State and nation.
HISTORY: 2015 Act No. 6 (S.411), § 1, eff March 27, 2015.
SECTION 53-3-205. Post-Traumatic Stress Injury Awareness Day.
June twenty-seventh of each year is designated as South Carolina Post-Traumatic Stress Injury (PTSI) Awareness Day.
HISTORY: 2016 Act No. 162 (H.4816), § 1, eff April 21, 2016.
SECTION 53-3-210. South Carolina Day of Service.
The third Saturday in May of each year is declared to be "South Carolina Day of Service" in South Carolina; and all South Carolinians are encouraged to roll up their sleeves and lend a hand to make a positive difference in our great State.
HISTORY: 2016 Act No. 235 (H.5020), § 1, eff June 3, 2016.
SECTION 53-3-215. South Carolina Native Plant Week.
The third week in October of each year is declared to be "South Carolina Native Plant Week" in South Carolina, and all South Carolinians are encouraged to recognize the essential value and importance of the native plants of South Carolina to our state's history, economic landscape, and environment.
HISTORY: 2018 Act No. 140 (H.4005), § 1, eff March 12, 2018.
SECTION 53-3-220. Fibroid Tumor Awareness Month.
The month of July of each year is designated as "Fibroid Tumor Awareness Month" to raise awareness of the impact fibroid tumors have on women's health.
HISTORY: 2018 Act No. 181 (S.79), § 1, eff May 15, 2018.
SECTION 53-3-225. Barbers' Day.
The third Wednesday in February of each year is designated as "Barbers' Day" in South Carolina in recognition of the cultural significance of barbering and the invaluable contributions of the practice of barbering in the Palmetto State.
HISTORY: 2019 Act No. 30 (S.12), § 1, eff May 13, 2019.
SECTION 53-3-230. Penn Center Heritage Day.
The second Saturday of November of each year is designated as 'Penn Center Heritage Day' in South Carolina to promote and preserve Penn Center's true history and culture through its commitment to education, community development, and social justice.
HISTORY: 2018 Act No. 228 (H.4913), § 1, eff May 18, 2018.
SECTION 53-3-240. Dr. Ronald McNair Day.
The twenty-first day of October of each year is designated as "Dr. Ronald McNair Day" in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 2018 Act No. 141 (H.4858), § 1, eff March 12, 2018.
SECTION 53-3-250. Atomic Veterans Day.
The sixteenth day of July of each year is designated as "Atomic Veterans Day" in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 2020 Act No. 131 (H.4439), § 1, eff April 10, 2020.
SECTION 53-3-260. Historically Black Colleges and Universities Day.
The third Tuesday in February of each year is designated as "Historically Black Colleges and Universities Day" in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 2022 Act No. 120 (H.4576), § 1, eff February 15, 2022.
SECTION 53-3-270. Robert Smalls Day.
The thirteenth day of May each year is designated as "Robert Smalls Day" in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 34 (H.3142), § 1, eff May 16, 2023.
SECTION 53-3-280. Women in Hunting and Fishing Awareness Day.
The third Saturday in November of each year is designated as "Women in Hunting and Fishing Awareness Day" in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 42 (H.3868), § 1, eff May 16, 2023.
SECTION 53-3-290. Clog Dancing Day.
The eighth day of August of each year is designated as "Clog Dancing Day" in South Carolina.
HISTORY: 2023 Act No. 49 (H.4291), § 1, eff May 16, 2023. |
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