Law Day

Law Day

May 1

It was the American Bar Association that persuaded President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 to set aside a special day to commemorate the role of law in the United States and to remind people of the contrast between democratic government under the law and the tyranny of Communism. But it wasn't until 1961 that a joint resolution of Congress designated May 1 as Law Day, and President John F. Kennedy asked Americans to display the flag and observe the occasion with appropriate programs—typically mock trials, courthouse tours, special radio and television programs, library exhibits, and essay contests. Most Law Day exercises today are sponsored by the American Bar Association in cooperation with state and local bar associations.
The first of May was previously known as Loyalty Day, another attempt to play up the virtues of democracy and to cast Communism in a negative light. It is no coincidence that in the former U.S.S.R., May Day was the great holiday for massive military reviews and other demonstrations of armed power.

CONTACTS:
American Bar Association
321 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60610
800-285-2221 or 312-988-5522; fax: 312-988-5568
www.abanet.org

SOURCES:
AmerBkDays-2000, p. 337
AnnivHol-2000, p. 74
DictDays-1988, p. 67

Celebration day: May 1