Law Day is held every May 1st throughout the nation to
celebrate the rule of law. It was established in 1958 by President
Dwight Eisenhower to mark the nation’s rule of law and codified by
Congress in 1961. Law Day underscores how the law and the legal process
contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share. Law Day also
provides an opportunity to recognize the role of courts in democracy and
the importance of jury service to maintaining the integrity of the
courts.
Each year, the American Bar Association designates a Law Day theme
and provides free resources and materials to assist bar associations and
lawyers in planning law day events such as educational community
forums, contests, and school visits.
The Law Day theme that the American Bar Association has chosen for 2020 is “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100.” This theme celebrates the 100th anniversary of the constitutional amendment that guaranteed the right of citizens to vote would not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex.
Resources can be found on the ABA web site as well as many other sites. This theme can be used throughout the fall to tie into the upcoming 2020 election.
ABA 2020 Law Day Planning Guide
Nineteenth Amendment: “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”
The Amendment was first introduced in 1878 and took until August 18, 1920, to clear the final hurdle of obtaining agreement from three-fourths of the states.
To learn more about Law Day and to find helpful lesson plans from K-College for the 2020 and past themes, visit
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/law-day/
Pennsylvania has traditionally commemorated Law Day by focusing on educating children about the rule of law. Through classroom visits by lawyers and judges and an outstanding set of free law-related lesson plans prepared for K-College classrooms, the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation, Pennsylvania Bar Association and county bar associations across the commonwealth work with schools to educate children about their legal rights and responsibilities in the new millennium. Lawyers can choose to focus on discussing the annual ABA theme, their own experience or and careers, or discussing topics designated by the schools. The free lessons and materials are designed to be informative and engaging for all students.
Law Day provides Pennsylvania lawyers and judges with a wonderful opportunity to become involved in their local communities. Law Day is funded by the Pennsylvania Bar Foundation.