Editing Proclamation (section)

{{Short description|Official declaration}}
{{For|the racehorse|Proclamation (horse)}}
[[File:Proclamation of William III.jpg|thumb|Proclamation of King [[William III of the Netherlands]] regarding his accession, 1849]]
[[File:RoyalProclamation 1715 ForArrestOf SirWilliamWyndham 3rdBaronet.JPG|thumb|200px|Handbill publishing the royal proclamation of King George I, dated 23 September 1715, for the "discovery and apprehension" of [[Sir William Wyndham, 3rd Baronet]], the [[Jacobitism|Jacobite]] leader]]

A '''proclamation''' (Lat. ''proclamare'', to make public by announcement) is an official declaration issued by a person of authority to make certain announcements known. Proclamations are currently used within the governing framework of some nations and are usually issued in the name of the [[head of state]]. A proclamation is (usually) a non-binding notice. 

A general distinction is made between official proclamations from states and state organs with a binding character and proclamations from political-social groups or organizations, both of which try to win over the mood of those addressed. In addition, the procedure of proclaiming the beginning of a rule over a certain ruling territory is called a proclamation. For example, on July 26, 1581, the [[Act of Abjuration|Proclamation of Dutch Independence]] was signed which led to the creation of the [[Dutch Republic]] in 1588, formally recognized in 1648 by the [[Peace of Münster]].

The announcement of the intention to marry two people, the bidding, was referred to as a "proclamation" because it was done by reading out a corresponding text during the service.

In the cities, laws, ordinances, etc. were "proclaimed" up to modern times so that they would become known and effective.