National American History and Founders Month, 2020

This proclamation designates November 2020 as "National American History and Founders Month" and calls on Americans to observe it with ceremonies and activities. While primarily commemorative, the document contains substantial political messaging criticizing "Critical Race Theory," referencing a prior executive order banning its teaching in federal agencies and by federal contractors, and framing American history through a specific ideological lens.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 70419

Impact dates

Nov 30, 2020
End of month-long observance period
Nov 1, 2020
Start of National American History and Founders Month observance period

Key directives

Proclaim November 2020 as National American History and Founders Month
Call upon people of the United States to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities

Timeline

Immediate

Proclamation takes effect upon signing; November 2020 designated as observance month

Near term (90d)

Month-long observance during November 2020

Long term

No ongoing policy mechanisms established beyond single-month designation

Risks & tensions

Proclamation's substantive political content attacking 'Critical Race Theory' and referencing prior EO 13950 blurs line between ceremonial observance and policy advocacy
Rhetoric about 'rewriting history' and 'violent mobs' injects polarizing political framing into otherwise ceremonial document
Document's educational prescriptions could be seen as attempting to influence curriculum beyond federal scope
No enforcement mechanism for observance; 'call upon' language is non-binding