The National Day of Prayer occurred in spite of a court ruling that declared it unconstitutional.
On April 15, 2010 Judge Barbara Crabb, a federal judge in Madison, Wisconsin, issued a ruling declaring the National Day of Prayer unconstitutional. She wrote: "In this instance, the government has taken sides ona matter that must be left to individual conscience."
In response, the National Day of Prayer Task Force (NDPTF), whose mission is to "publicize and preserve America's Christian heritage," launched a "Save the National Day of Prayer" campaign. "This is an attack upon our religious freedoms, and it is a sad day in America when an atheist in Wisconsin can undermine this tradition for millions of otehrs who simply wish to join their fellow citizens in praying for their country, " the petition read.
Just hours after Crabb's decision, the White House announced that President Obama intended to recognize a National Day of Prayer, as he idd the previous year.
Congress declared a National Day of Prayer in 1952, and in 1988 it fixed the event's observance to the first Thursday in May. On this day, the President traditionally issues a proclamation urging people to "turn to God in prayer and meditation, " although not all have done so.