Wednesday, August 22, 2012

National Lighthouse Day

cape lookout lighthouse north carolina
Cape Lookout Lighthouse | credit: NPS
On August 7, 1789, Congress passed an Act for the establishment and support of lighthouses, beacons, buoys and public piers.

In honor of the 200th anniversary of the establishment of the first federal lighthouse, Congress designated August 7, 1989 as National Lighthouse Day.

This recognition has encouraged communities and citizens groups to dedicate themselves to the preservation of these historic structures.

Source: NPS

UPDATE:

Though National Lighthouse Day is celebrated annually by lighthouse organizations nationwide, Congress has yet to designate August 7 as the date the U.S. officially recognizes the nation's lighthouse heritage.

For more information, visit lighthousefoundation.org.