Law Day is coming up on May 1, 2021.

What is Law Day?

According to the American Bar Association’s web site, Law Day is “a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. Law Day provides an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice, and contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share.”

Law Day was first envisioned by Charles Rhyne, the president of the ABA, in 1957. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established Law Day as a day of national dedication to the principles of government under law. In 1961, Congress officially designated May 1 as Law Day, and many countries around the world now observe it.

A theme is selected each year to spotlight a particular aspect of the law or the legal process that impacts our daily lives. Programs are conducted by bar groups, courts, schools, youth groups and community organizations. Past recent themes have highlighted the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment (women’s suffrage), freedom of speech and the press, separation of powers, the 14th Amendment, 50th anniversary of the Miranda decision, and the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. The theme for 2021 is “Advancing the Rule of Law, Now.” This theme was selected to remind us that we the people share the responsibility to promote the rule of law, defend liberty, and pursue justice.

Due to ongoing COVID issues, the ABA will be hosting several virtual events this year.

I will share a couple of Law Day articles on this blog in the coming days and hope you’ll return to read them.

Angela Classen, LAWS Newsletter Editor/Webmaster