White Cane Safety Day

White Cane Safety Day is an unofficial holiday in the United States, celebrated on October 15 of each year since 1964. The date is set aside to celebrate the achievements of people who are blind or visually impaired and the important symbol of blindness and tool of independence, the white cane. On October 6, 1964 a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress, HR 753, was signed into law. This resolution authorized the President of the United States to proclaim October 15 of each year as “White Cane Safety Day.” President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the first White Cane Safety Day proclamation within hours of the passage of the joint resolution.

White Cane Day remains largely unknown to the general public.