Law Day 2019
The 2019 Law Day theme—Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society—focuses on these cornerstones of representative government and calls on us to understand and protect these rights to ensure, as the U.S. Constitution proposes, “the blessings of liberty for ourselves and our posterity.”
Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society
In the United States and around the world, freedom of speech and the press are among the most important foundations for a free society. Free speech and free press are prominent topics in public discourse and litigation. It is impossible to imagine a free society without these individual liberties, yet historical and current debates surrounding them continually challenge us to consider their boundaries and resilience. Changes in technology have reshaped how free speech and free press work in the everyday world.
Download - ArtworkWhat is Law Day?
Law Day, held annually on May 1, is a national day set aside to celebrate the rule of law. Law Day provides an opportunity to understand how law and the legal process protect our liberty, strive to achieve justice, and contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share.
Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society: The Marketplace of Ideas in an Era of Fake News
This year marks the centennial of Abrams v. United States, in which the concept of the marketplace of ideas first entered American jurisprudence in Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes’ famous dissent. He argued that the “ultimate good desired is best reached by free trade in ideas” and “that the best test of truth is the power of the thought to get itself accepted in the competition of the market.”
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Law Day 2019 Planning Guide
The planning guide offers tools to help develop, publicize, and implement a successful event. Resources include: suggested videos, programming ideas, twenty-five important free speech and free press moments in U.S. history, talking points, lesson plans, themed products, and an event checklist.
View - Planning GuideDownloadable Resources
Lesson Plans
Click here to view the lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school students.
Sample Proclamation
Looking to promote your own Law Day Event? Click here to view a sample proclamation.
Law Day Art Contest
This annual contest provides a wonderful opportunity to learn about our legal system, justice, get creative and win prizes. The contest can be incorporated into a curriculum, offered as extra credit, or just done for fun. Individual and groups submissions are welcomed.
Receive Updates for Law Day 2019
Click the link to sign up for updates and announcements as we gear up for the 2019 Law Day theme. Be the first to know when Law Day planning guides, teaching resources, products, and other useful items become available.
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Law Day 2019 Themed PopSocket
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Law Day 2019 Themed Mug
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Law Day 2019 Themed Sling BackPack - Blue
Classic Law Day Products
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Law Day Gavel Stress Reliever
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Liberty Bell Award Plaque
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The Pocket Guide to the United States Constitution
Law Day Outstanding Activity Awards
About the Law Day Awards
This program lets outstanding state and local programs get the national recognition they deserve. Awards are given to programs that have found creative ways of reaching out to schools and the community, and have forged strong partnerships with other groups to deliver the message about the benefits of the rule of law.
2018 Law Day Award Recipients
A great deal of effort, hard work, and creativity goes into planning and implementing Law Day activities. Take a look at our 2018 Law Day Outstanding Activity Award winners to learn about how they planned activities around the theme.