Timeline of the National Day of Prayer

Do you wish you knew more about the history of the National Day of Prayer? Has anyone ever asked why is the National day of Prayer is in May not November? Don't be stumped, read the timeline here.....

Historical Time-line Reference Sheet

1620 Mayflower Compact (declares new country for "advancement of the Christian faith")

1775 First National Call to Prayer and Fasting June 12, 1775, Resolution Calling for a Day of Public Fasting and Prayer. The Journals of the Continental Congress 1774-1789 (Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1905), Vol. II, p. 87.

1782 "God Favored our Undertaking" written on Great Seal of United States

1795 "God Favored our Undertaking" (Annuit Coeptis) added to US coins

1812 Francis Scott Key writes poem (adopted as National Anthem) ends with "In God is Our Trust"

1863 Lincoln Declares: "This nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom."

1892 James Upham - Youth's Companion - helps schools unite to say the first Pledge of Allegiance (October 12, 1892)

1909 Lincoln Penny printed with "In God We Trust"

1931 Francis Scott Key's poem selected by Congress as the National Anthem (March 3, 1931)

1952 Harry S. Truman declares a National Day of Prayer and signs into law an annual observance there of - United States Congress passed Joint Resolution 382 on April 17, 1952/ President Truman signs Public Law 82-324 Public Law 82-324; 66 Stat. 64-April 17, 1952.

1954 Flag Day - Dwight D. Eisenhower signs law adding "Under God" to Pledge of Allegiance
(June 14, 1954)

1955 Dwight D. Eisenhower signs bill into law adding "In God We Trust" on to paper money, National Buildings, Monuments and Government Offices (July 30, 1955) "So Help Me God" added to Oath for Federal Judges

1963 All US currency is printed with National Motto: "In God We Trust"

1977 US Supreme Court upholds National Motto: "In God We Trust"

1988 Ronald Reagan signs into law the designation of the first Thursday in May as the annual observance for the National Day of Prayer - President Reagan signs Public Law 100-307 January 25, 1988, in the Second Session of the One Hundredth Congress. Public Law 100-307-May 5, 1988.