Below is a list of all the days and weeks Maine has to celebrate Maine, and bring awareness to important issues.
Skip to a specific month: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.
January
Invite Your Maine Legislator to School Month
January is Invite Your Legislator to School Month. In January students, school faculty, and administrators are encouraged to invite their Maine legislators to visit their schools. Legislative support strongly influences the success and achievement of the Maine public school system. Read the proclamation.
February
American History Month
February is American History Month. Maine became the 23rd state in 1820 after separating from Massachusetts. Throughout American history, even before the separation, the people and land in Maine made critical contributions to the creation of the United States as we know it today. American History Month aims to highlight our culture, history, and celebrate the future. Read the governor’s proclamation.
March
Maine Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
March is Maine Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. This commemorative month aims to raise awareness about the prevalence of childhood cancer. Read the proclamation.
Equal Pay Day
March 12 is Equal Pay Day in Maine. This date symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned the year prior. Did you know on average women make $0.84 to every $1.00 a man makes, and this gap is even wider form women of color? Read more about equal pay.
Statehood Day
The week of March 15 is Maine Cultural Heritage Week, which includes Statehood Day. Cultural heritage week acknowledges and celebrates the rich traditions of arts and literature in Maine. Read the Governors proclamation.
March 15 is Maine Statehood Day. On July 26, 1819, the citizens of Maine voted to separate from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, which was affirmed by Congress with an effective date of March 15, 1820. On that day, Maine became the 23rd state of the United States. Read about Maine’s history.
Maine Irish Heritage Day
March 17 is Maine Irish Heritage Day. This commemorative day recognizes the contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants on the culture and prosperity of Maine. Read more about the history of Irish immigrants in Maine.
Native American Heritage and Culture Day
March 20 is Native American Heritage and Culture Day. This commemorative day honors and recognizes the history and legacy of Native people in Maine. On this day Mainers are encouraged to seek educational activities and other observances of Native Culture and Heritage Day. Read the statute.
Edmund S. Muskie Day
March 28 is Edmund S. Muskie Day. Muskie (1914-1996), born and raised in Rumford, Maine, and educated at Bates College, served Maine as a state representative and as governor. He was elected to U.S. Congress for the first time in 1964 and served as U.S. Secretary of State during the Jimmy Carter Administration. Learn more about Edmund S. Muskie.
April
Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day
April 9 is Former Prisoner of War Day. This commemorative day honors and remembers American veterans who returned home after being released from war prisons. Learn more about the day.
Maine Aviation and Aerospace Education Week
The third week in April is Aviation and Aerospace Education Week. During this commemorative week Mainers are encouraged to learn about Aeronautical and Aerospace traditions. Read the statute.
May
Cold War Victory Day
The 1st of May is Cold War Victory Day. This commemorative day recognizes the struggle of the Cold War from the end of World War II to the fall of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Mainers are encouraged to participate in educational activities surrounding the topic. See a Cold War timeline.
Maine Small Business Week
The first week of May is Maine Small Business Week. Did you know more than 99% of businesses in Maine are small businesses and more than half of all employees in Maine are employed by small businesses? This commemorative week acknowledges the economic impact of small businesses and encourages Mainers to shop at small and local businesses. Read the proclamation.
Maine Community Litter Cleanup Day
The first Saturday in May is Community Litter Cleanup Day. This commemorative day invites Mainers to clean up their communities and to bring awareness to the negative effects of litter on our communities and environment. Read the statute.
Missing Persons Day
May 25 is Missing Persons Day in Maine. This commemorative day recognizes those who have gone missing and recognizes the families, loved ones, and law enforcement that continue the search for those missing. Read the proclamation.
Arbor Week
Arbor Week is the third full week in May. Arbor Week promotes the awareness and appreciation of trees and forests. Did you know Maine is the most heavily forested state with 89% of land covered by trees and forests? Find native plants to grow in your backyard.
Maine Alewife Day
The Saturday before Memorial Day is Alewife Day in Maine. Alewife Day commemorates Maine’s rich fishing tradition. Read more about alewives.
Maine Merchant Marine Day
May 22 is Maine Merchant Marine Day. Merchant Marines are an important part of the marine economy and war efforts, transporting cargo and sometimes passengers on both domestic and international waters. This commemorative day recognizes the contributions of Merchant Marines to the state of Maine and the nation. Read more about the Marchant Marines.
June
Samantha Smith Day
The first Monday in June is Samantha Smith Day. Samantha Smith (1972-1985) was a peace activist from Manchester, Maine, famous for her anti-war activism during the Cold War. In 1982 she reached out to the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and received an invitation to visit the Kremlin. Read more about Smith.
Garden Week
The first week of June is Garden Week. This commemorative week promotes the activities of gardening, floral design, and environmental responsibility. Learn more about Garden Week.
Maine Clean Water Week
The first week of June is Maine Clean Water Week. This commemorative week recognizes the progress made to clean up Maine water ways and brings awareness to the importance of maintaining and protecting clean waterways. Read the proclamation.
Sailors’ Memorial Day
The second Sunday in June is Sailors’ Memorial Day. This day recognizes and remembers the Sailors that have been lost at sea. Read the statute.
James Weldon Johnson Day
June 17 is James Weldon Johnson Day in Maine. Weldon Johnson (1871-1938) was a famed poet, author, and civil rights activist. One of his most famous works is “The Autobiography of an Ex-colored Man.” Weldon Johnson was killed in a car/train crash in Maine in 1938. Read more about Weldon Johnson.
Destroyer Escort Day
The third Saturday of June is Destroyer Escort Day. Destroyer escorts were critical anti-submarine vessels that provided aide and protection from U-Boat attacks in the Atlantic. This day honors the contribution of destroyer escorts on American war efforts. Read the proclamation.
Juneteenth Independence Day
This third Saturday in June is designated as Juneteenth Independence Day in Maine. Nationally, Juneteenth is celebrated June 19, the day the final slaves were emancipated in Texas more than two years after the emancipation proclamation. Read more about Juneteenth.
Maine Lighthouse Week
The third full week in June is Maine Lighthouse Week. Did you know Maine’s iconic coastline boasts over 60 lighthouses? During Lighthouse Week, some lighthouses are open for tours. Learn more about Maine lighthouses.
Native American Veterans Day
June 21 is Native American Veterans Day. This commemorative day recognizes the unique and important contributions of Native Americans in war efforts from the American Revolution to the present. June 21, 1775, was the day that Penobscot Chief Joseph Orono agreed that warriors from his tribe would join forces with the Continental Army to fight for freedom. Read about the National Native American Veterans Memorial.
Saint Jean-Baptiste Day
June 24 is Saint John-Baptiste Day. A celebration of the birth of Saint John the Baptist, this day also serves as a celebration of Franco-Canadian and Franco-American culture and heritage. Maine has a rich tradition of French- and French-Canadian culture that is acknowledged on this day. Read more about the history of Saint John-Baptiste Day.
Robert Browne (R.B.) Hall Day
The last Saturday in June is R.B. Hall Day. Robert Browne (R.B.) Hall (1858-1907) was an internationally celebrated composer born in Bowdoinham, Maine. He is most famous for his composition of marches, but he was also an accomplished conductor. Read more about R.B. Hall and celebrations in his honor.
July
Major-General Henry Knox Day
July 25 is Henry Knox Day. Major-General Knox (1750-1806) was raised in Thomaston, Maine, and became a Revolutionary War general prior to becoming the Secretary of War (now called Secretary of Defense) for the administration of George Washington. Read about Maine celebrations.
Maine Korean War Veteran Recognition Day
July 27 is Maine Korean War Veterans Recognition Day. Did you know the Korean War was one of the bloodiest wars in American history with over 36,000 killed and more than 103,000 wounded? This commemorative day honors those who fought in the Korean War. Read more about the Korean War.
August
Family Reunion Day
Family Reunion Day is the Monday after the first full weekend in August. This commemorative weekend recognizes the importance of families. Read the statute.
September
Safe Homes Awareness Month
September is Safe Homes Awareness Month in Maine. This commemorative month invites Mainers to learn more about how to ensure that their homes are safe, including from unsecure firearms, prescription drugs, domestic violence, and other dangers. Read the proclamation.
Colonel Freeman McGilvery Day
The first Saturday of September is Colonel Freeman McGilvery Day. McGilvery (1823-1864) was born in raised in Prospect, Maine, and later became an accomplished and impactful Civil War Hero. Read more about Colonel Freeman McGilvery.
Maine Youth Field and Stream Day
The second Saturday in September is Maine Youth Field and Stream Day. This commemorative day invites young people in Maine to get outside and enjoy an outdoor activity of any kind. For information about activities near you, search “Field and Stream Day” and your town name. Read the statute.
Maine Seniors Day
The second Saturday in September is Maine Seniors Day. This commemorative day recognizes the contributions of senior citizens in Maine. Read more about the day.
First Responder Day
September 11 is First Responder Day in Maine. This commemorative day honors the contributions and sacrifices made by first responders in any situation. First Responder Day also honors the legacy of the victims of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center. Read more about First Responder Day.
Maine Week of Heroes
Maine Week of Heroes is observed the week of September 11. This commemorative week honors those in the military, law enforcement, firefighters, and health care workers who serve to keep our state and nation safe. Read the statute.
Prisoner of War/Missing in Action (POW-MIA) Recognition Day
The third Friday in September is Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day. This commemorative day honors and recognizes those Americans who are still missing or unaccounted for as far back as the Vietnam War. Read more about Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Recognition Day.
Landowner Recognition Day
The third Saturday in September is Landowner Recognition Day. This commemorative day celebrates land and woodland owners in Maine, especially those who allow their land to be used by the public for outdoor recreation. Did you know 94% of Maine land is privately owned? Read more about landowner appreciation.
Maine Needham Day
The last Saturday in September is Maine Needham Day. A Needham is a famous, Maine-made potato and chocolate candy that is symbolic of Maine’s innovative candy and sweet industry. Read more about needhams.
Deaf Culture Week
The last full week of September is Deaf Culture Week. This commemorative week acknowledges the sociolinguistic traditions and culture of the Deaf community in Maine and nationally. Learn more about the deaf community in Maine.
October
Firefighter’s Recognition Day
The first Saturday in October is Firefighter’s Recognition Day. This day acknowledges the sacrifices that firefighters make to keep our communities safe and honors those who have been lost in the line of duty. Read the proclamation.
Poetry Day
Poetry Day is the 15th of October. Maine has a rich poetry and literary tradition, with many acclaimed poets being either Maine natives or transplants who made a home here. Find more information about poets from and poems about Maine.
Maine Business Women’s Week
The third week in October is Maine Business Women’s Week. This commemorative week recognizes the contributions that Maine’s business women make to the State’s economy. Did you know women-owned businesses contribute $1.8 trillion dollars to the U.S. economy annually? Read more about Maine’s women owned businesses.
November
Veterans in the Arts and Humanities Day
November 1 is Veterans in the Arts and Humanities Day. This commemorative day recognizes the contributions veterans make to arts, humanities, and culture. Read more about veterans in the arts.
Cancer Awareness Week
November 1-7 is Cancer Awareness Week, with November 1 designated at Lung Cancer Awareness Day. Citizens, health agencies, and other organizations are invited to participate in education and awareness activities that acknowledge the impact cancer has on the lives of so many. See the statute.
Veterans’ Week
Veterans Week is observed the week of November 11, which is Veterans’ Day nationally. This commemorative week recognizes and honors the sacrifices that veterans and active-duty military make to protect our democracy. Read more about Veterans’ Day and Week.
Community Giving Week
The third full week in November is Community Giving Week. This commemorative week invites Mainers to engage in community activity and to be of service in one’s community in the way that is needed. See the statute.
December
Organ Donor Awareness Day
December 3 is Organ Donor Awareness Day. This day acknowledges the importance of registering as an organ donor and the impact that donated organs have on those in need. Learn more about organ donation.
Alcohol Awareness Week
The first full week in December is Alcohol Awareness Week. Nationally, Alcohol Awareness Month is observed in April. This commemorative week in Maine aims to raise awareness about alcohol use and misuse. Read more about alcohol awareness.
Margaret Chase Smith Day
The 14th of December is Margaret Chase Smith Day. Margaret Chase Smith Day commemorates and honors this trailblazing political leader. Chase Smith (1897-1995) was the first woman elected to both Houses of Congress and the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party. Read more about her life and legacy.
Chester Greenwood Day
December 21 is Chester Greenwood Day. Chester Greenwood (1858-1937) was a Farmington, Maine, native and celebrated inventor of many things, most famously, the earmuffs. By the time of his death in 1937 he held over 100 patents and owned several large-scale factories in Maine. Read more about his life and inventions.