Governor Stein Proclaims World Down Syndrome Day

World Down Syndrome Day 

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day that has been officially observed every March 21^st since 2012 by the United Nations; 

Whereas, Down syndrome is the most commonly occurring chromosomal condition, affecting an estimated250,000 people in the United States

Whereas, more than 5,000 babies with Down syndrome are born in the United States every year, including 1 in every 826 live births in North Carolina; and 

Whereas, through medical advances, the life expectancy of people with Down syndrome has gone from 25 years in 1983 to more than 60 years today; and 

Whereas, inclusion of people with Down syndrome in schools, workforces, and social and recreational activities means that more and more North Carolinians are benefiting from interactions with people who thrive with Down syndrome, increasing the opportunity for widespread acceptance;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim March 21, 2026, as “World Down Syndrome Day” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this second day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.