Law Day
Officially held May 1, Law Day was first declared by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1958 as a special day of celebration for the people of the United States to celebrate our liberties and cultivate respect for the law in our country. The Baton Rouge Bar Foundation's Law Day has become a nationally recognized program.
The
2022 Law Day theme is “Toward a More Perfect Union: The Constitution in Times
of Change.”
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union…”
are the opening words of the U.S. Constitution. At 4,400 words and signed in
1787, it is one of the shortest and oldest written constitutions in the world.
The Constitution is a dynamic document, that not only outlines a blueprint for
government, but also delegates power, articulates rights, and offers mechanisms
for change. It is neither perfect, nor exhaustive, as our nation’s history
makes clear. Legislation, court rulings, amendments, lawyers, and “we the
people” have built upon those original words across generations to attempt to
make the “more perfect Union” more perfect. That effort continues today, as
contemporary leaders and everyday citizens raise their voices as loud as ever
to fulfill the promise of the Constitution and create a more perfect Union.
For more information about the BRBF Law Day program, contact Donna Buuck at donna@brba.org or 225-214-5556.
In 2021, the Baton Rouge Bar Foundation celebrated Law Day by sharing virtual activities and lesson plans and sponsoring art, essay and video contests for middle and high school students. The activities and contests were based on the American Bar Association Law Day 2021 theme, "Advancing the Rule of Law Now."
The rule of law is a set of principles, or ideals, for ensuring an orderly and just society. Many countries throughout the world strive to uphold the rule of law where no one is above the law, everyone is treated equally under the law, everyone is held accountable to the same laws, there are clear and fair processes for enforcing laws, there is an independent judiciary, and human rights are guaranteed for all.
“The clearest way to show what the rule of law means to us in everyday life is to recall what has happened when there is no rule of law.” President Dwight D. Eisenhower
The 2021 Law Day contests closed April 23, 2021. Please read the contest guidelines carefully before preparing and submitting entries.
Art Contest: What does the rule of law mean to you? Create an art piece showing how the rule of law protects your civil liberties such as: freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, access to justice, protection against unreasonable searches and seizures and other liberties granted to you in the Bill of Rights.
Essay Contest: In our system of government, no one is above the rule of law, including the President of the United States. Why is it important that every American is subject to the rule of law?
Video Contest: Create a video showcasing that in our system of government, no one is above the rule of law, including the President of the United States. Show why is it important that every American is subject to the rule of law.
Law Day 2021 Lesson Plan Links:
American Bar Association
United States Courts