It's the first week in August and celebrates clowning. It was started in 1971.

On October 8, 1970, Public Law 91-443 under the 91st Congress, JJR 26 was passed by both the House and Senate and was sent to President Richard Nixon for his signature.

 

The joint resolution was signed into law by President Nixon on August 2, 1971. 

 

President Nixon released his  "National Clown Week By the President of the United States of America Proclamation".

 

Since then Governors and Mayors have had their own personal Clown week proclamation for their state or city. 

 

Today the National Clown Week has grown to International Clown Week. 

 

And is celebrated all over the world

 

Why Clown Week ? 

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"This is a time-honored tradition in politics, around the World"; says Steve Finch aka DR Bud the Clown.

 

"It's just something that political leaders like to do, to either recognize certain individuals or groups that are doing good things, to raise public awareness about a problem like a disease or just make a nice gesture to a group you want to support, like clowns or jugglers.

 

A cost-free way to make people feel good."