Every year from August 1 to 7, clowns around the world celebrate their professional holiday – International Clown Week.

History of International Clown Week

Everyone is used to seeing clowns always smiling and funny, considering their life to be full of fun. But making people laugh is hard work that should be treated with respect. In 1967, the members of the American Clown Club wanted to convey this idea to everyone, submitting a request to the Senate to mark the first week of August as Clown Days.

However, the resolution of this issue was completed only in 1971, when on August 2, President Nixon signed a resolution declaring Clown Week an official national holiday. Now it is recognized in many countries of the world, therefore it has acquired international status.

Bill Bailey, a member of the Clowns of America club, became the first chairman of National Clown Week in the USA. It was he who convinced congressmen of the need to hold an annual event and managed to invite all the members of the clown club to the Senate in Washington.