The American state of Illinois has introduced on its territory a new official holiday - "Barack Obama's Day". The corresponding order was signed by the Governor Bruce Rauner, reports NBC Chicago.

The holiday will be celebrated annually on the birthday of the 44th President of the United States, who until the election was the head of state served as a senator from that state.

According to Rauner, it is not that August 4 will be officially declared a weekend. "I think this day should be simply devoted to recognizing" the ex-president's merits and celebrations in his address, the governor noted..

Barack Obama held the US President as the maximum permissible under American law two four-year terms. The seat of the senator from Illinois he occupied from 1997 to 2004.

During this period, his main efforts were directed to the development of programs to support low-income families, the development of preschool education and toughening control over the work of investigative bodies.