The origins of Law Day
Law Day is a national day set aside annually May 1 to celebrate the rule of law. With this year’s 60th presidential election on the horizon and Americans addressing fundamental questions about democracy and the rule of law, the 2024 Law Day theme is “Voices of Democracy” – paying homage to how Americans have expressed their political views and wishes for nearly 250 years by speaking their minds and voting in elections.
What is Law Day?
Law Day underscores how law and the legal process contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share. It also provides an opportunity to recognize the role of courts in our democratic republic and the importance of jury service to maintaining the integrity of the courts.
How did Law Day begin?
The tradition of celebrating Law Day began in 1958 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaimed that every year on May 1, we as a nation “should remember with pride” how our laws help people to be treated fairly and how our laws have inspired other countries to treat their citizens more fairly. In 1961, Congress, by joint resolution, designated May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day.
Why is Law Day celebrated on May 1?
When the Soviet Union existed and was a major world power, the Soviets held a parade every year on May 1 to display their new weapons. This parade showed that the Soviet Union was a nation that ruled by force. To demonstrate the difference between the nations, American politicians and lawyers wanted to use May 1 to show that the United States was a nation ruled by laws made by its citizens.
How is Law Day celebrated?
Law Day programs are designed to help people understand how the law keeps us free and how our legal system strives to achieve justice. Thousands of Law Day activities are conducted for youth and adults across the country. Find Law Day news, history and more on the Law Day website, LawDay.org.
The Missouri Bar is a statewide organization that is dedicated to improving the legal profession, the law and the administration of justice for all Missourians. Created in 1944 by order of the Supreme Court of Missouri, it serves all 31,000 of Missouri’s practicing lawyers. The Missouri Bar provides a wide range of services and resources to its members, as well as the media, educators, and the citizens of Missouri. To learn more about The Missouri Bar, visit MoBar.org and MissouriLawyersHelp.org.