The phrase "first observance" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to the initial or original act of observing or recognizing something. You can use it in a sentence when discussing the beginning of a tradition, holiday, or event. For example: "The first observance of Thanksgiving in the United States dates back to 1621." OR "The first observance of the lunar eclipse was noted in ancient civilizations."
But "solemnized" was hardly the word to describe New York City's first observance of the great occasion.
The program for the ceremony included a proclamation, issued earlier by Mr. Bush, that today would be the first observance of Patriot Day.
Bristol's annual Fourth of July parade is thought to be the oldest in the country; its first observance of the day was in 1785.
At the time of the first observance of circadian rhythmicity of rectal temperature, the mean delta in temperature from peak to trough was 0.6 +/- 0.3 degrees C.
Last summer the tribes spotlighted their direct tie to England, sending a 54-member delegation to meet local and national officials and to visit Pocahontas's grave in Gravesend, in Kent.This year's is not the first observance of the Jamestown settlement, but it is trying to be the most balanced.
More typical, though, was the sentiment of Joel Magallan, who was a Jesuit brother when he was recruited by Cardinal John J. O'Connor in the 1990s to organize the first observance of the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at St. Patrick's Cathedral.
One of the first observances comes from American Opera Projects and the String Orchestra of Brooklyn, which are presenting Mr. Glass's one-act chamber opera based on the short story by Kafka.
My first observances of the holiday were as a small boy on Balboa Island.
Growing interest in their fates has prompted members of the Van Cortlandtville Historical Society to research the men's backgrounds and family histories in the last few years; the third observance to honor their sacrifice and this part of France's role in American history will be held on Thursday, the day before the Fourth of July.
It was that constant connectedness, the desire, compulsion and expectation that everyone be within reach through a phone call, text, email or Facebook or Twitter post that inspired the National Day of Unplugging, which will have its fourth observance from sundown Friday, March 1, 2013, to sundown Saturday, March 2 , 2013
For its second observance, this year's Day will focus on "Innovating for Girls Educationn".
