Law Day was designed to stress the vital importance of the legal profession to democratic values as it relates to the liberties and rights we have as American citizens. Law Day originated when American Bar Association President Charles Rhyne proposed a special day for celebrating the US justice system and was later adopted by the United States government when it was established as a nationally recognized day on February 3, 1958 by President Dwight Eisenhower.
Adopted July 9th, 1868 as a three-part Reconstruction Amendment series set forth by President Abraham Lincoln, the 14th Amendment gave former slaves citizenship rights and equal protection under the law. Since it’s adaption, this Amendment has assisted in many landmark decisions in the Supreme Court and drastically change state and local government power. One of its’ main powers includes prohibiting state and local government individuals from preventing persons of their basic rights: life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness without proper authorization.
As part of our civics initiative we ask teachers and lawyers to work with students in your local school or education center and discuss the following question: “What aspects of the 14th Amendment affect you and your community daily?” For additional information and activities regarding civics education visit our civics webpage.