Law Day 2023 — Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration
In 1957 American Bar Association (ABA) President Charles Rhyne envisioned a national day to celebrate America’s dedication to the rule of law. The next year President Dwight Eisenhower proclaimed May 1, 1958 to be Law Day in Proclamation 3221, followed by a Congressional Act in 1961. Law Day is currently codified at 36 U.S.C. § 113 with the dual purpose of establishing a celebration for Americans:
(b)(1) in appreciation of their liberties and the reaffirmation of their loyalty to the United States and of their rededication to the ideals of equality and justice under law in their relations with each other and with other countries; and
(2) for the cultivation of the respect for law that is so vital to the democratic way of life.
Interestingly, Eisenhower and Congress both chose to put Law Day on May Day, the day when many celebrate International Workers Day, a day the trade unionists in Chicago declared a general strike in 1886 over the right to an eight hour work day. In 1889 the International Socialist Conference declared May 1st to be a labor holiday to honor workers killed during the strike or later executed as part of the Haymarket Affair.
The rule of law continues to need nurturing and protection. The ABA’s theme for Law Day 2023 is Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration. The theme is accompanied by an invitation to “all the people of the United States to join [the ABA] in rebuilding trust in our institutions, respect for one another, and our willingness to collaborate to address the challenges that face our nation.”
In Washington the Public Engagement and Education Committee (PEEC) of the Board of Judicial Administration is one entity actively engaged, year-round, in promoting the rule of law and fair, transparent, and inclusive courts through education and civic outreach. The Committee has ambitious goals:
Through collaboration with judicial, legal, and community groups and organizations, PEEC will identify issues negatively impacting public confidence in the Washington courts and will:
Be a resource and partner to judicial, legal, and community groups to support and/or improve the public’s confidence in the Washington courts;
Identify recommendations for reforming the Washington courts and share them with relevant entities;
Identify and/or create tools and resources to educate and assist Washington court staff at all levels in response to the issues identified;
Identify and/or create tools and resources to engage with and educate the public in response to the issues identified; and
Monitor, evaluate, and update the tools and resources created to be responsive to the needs of the community and the gaps in confidence in the Washington courts.
Some of the ongoing projects of the PEEC include Judges in the Classroom, the Spotlight on Civil Learning in Washington blog, participation in the Legislative Scholars program, community education, education programs for judges and court staff designed to encourage community trust, and collaboration and engagement with other civic agencies seeking to improve the legal system.
A sister program in the judicial branch is the Civic Learning Council (formerly the Council on Public Legal Education until 2019). The Council focuses on improving civics education by encouraging partnerships between educators and local community organizations and agencies. They are eager to address equity by promoting programs that intentionally provide civics learning for underserved populations.
In his Proclamation on Law Day, U.S.A., 2023 President Joe Biden calls upon all Americans to “acknowledge the importance of our Nation’s legal and judicial systems with appropriate ceremonies and activities and to display the flag of the United States in support of this national observance.” Explore Law Day programs, lesson plans, ABA’s Cornerstones of Democracy Conversation Guide, and more at the Law Day 2023 website. Also check out some of the Law Day activities in Washington including bar association and legal community activities in Skagit and Snohomish counties that focus on civics education and community service. (RM)
