Proclamation 2334—National Maritime Day, 1939

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Whereas on May 22, 1819, the steamship The Savannah sailed from Savannah, Georgia, on the first successful transoceanic voyage under steam propulsion, thus making a material contribution to the advancement of ocean transportation: and

Whereas the Congress by joint resolution approved May 20, 1933 (48 Stat. 73), designated May 22 of each year as National Maritime Day and requested the President to issue annually a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such National Maritime Day; and

Whereas it is fitting that the enterprise and achievements of the American merchant marine and the courage and patriotism of the officers and seamen of that merchant marine throughout our history be thus recognized;

Now, Therefore, I, Franklin D. Roosevelt, President of the United States of America, do hereby call upon the people of the United States to observe May 22, 1939, as National Maritime Day by displaying the flag at their homes or other suitable places and do direct Government officials to display the flag on all Government buildings on that day.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington this 4'' day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and thirty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixty-third.

FRANKLIN D ROOSEVELT

By the President:
CORDELL HULL
Secretary of State.