A resolution designating August 7, 2026, as "National Lighthouse Day".

119th Congress Introduced by Angus King and 2 co-sponsors

Designates August 7, 2026 as National Lighthouse Day to celebrate and promote public access, preservation, and education about historic lighthouses and their heritage.

Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.

Summary of SRES 820 — National Lighthouse Day

Purpose and intent

Designates August 7, 2026, as “National Lighthouse Day.”

Reflects on the historical significance of lighthouses and keepers to U.S. maritime safety, commerce, and national heritage.

Emphasizes the ongoing importance of preservation, public awareness, and appreciation for lighthouse history and the people who tended the lights.

Key provisions and changes

Designation:

The Senate designates August 7, 2026, as National Lighthouse Day.

Public observance encouraged:

Encourages lighthouse grounds to be opened to the public to the extent feasible.
Urges ceremonies and activities that celebrate maritime heritage, including:
Visiting historic lighthouse sites
Supporting preservation efforts
Participating in organizations dedicated to lighthouse education and historic landmark preservation

Continued commitment to preservation:

Reaffirms the Senate’s commitment to supporting preservation and restoration of historic lighthouses as enduring monuments to maritime history and keepers.

Affected entities and stakeholders

Public and private lighthouse sites and their managing organizations.

Cultural and historic preservation groups focusing on lighthouses.

Coastal communities benefiting from lighthouse-related tourism and heritage preservation.

General public encouraged to engage with maritime history and preservation efforts.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Legislative action:

Submitted in the 119th Congress (July 30, 2026).
Referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary.
In subsequent action, the resolution was discharged by unanimous consent and passed by the Senate on August 7, 2026, without amendment and with a preamble.

Enactment status:

As a concurrent resolution (S. Res. 820), it designates a day of observance and encourages related activities; it does not carry the force of law to compel actions beyond advisory language and ceremonial recognition.

Context and significance

Recognizes the historical role of the Lighthouse Act of 1789 and the early federal commitment to navigational safety and maritime infrastructure.

Highlights the evolution from manned lighthouses to automation and the resulting need for ongoing preservation to protect historic structures and their heritage.

Aligns with broader commemorations (e.g., the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States in 2026) to reflect on national maritime history and heritage.

Practical takeaways

National Lighthouse Day would be celebrated through public programs, tours, and educational activities that promote lighthouse preservation.

Encourages public engagement and support for preservation efforts and organizations dedicated to lighthouse history.

Serves as a symbolic reaffirmation of federal interest in maintaining historic lighthouses as protection of national heritage.