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    Law Day 2020

    The Law Day 2020 theme is “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100.” In 2019-2020, the United States is commemorating the centennial of the transformative 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. American women fought for, and won, the vote through their voice and action. 

    Your Vote • Your Voice • Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100

    The women’s suffrage movement forever changed America, expanding representative democracy and inspiring other popular movements for constitutional change and reform. Yet, honest reflection on the suffrage movement reveals complexity and tensions over race and class that remain part of the ongoing story of the Nineteenth Amendment and its legacies.

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    What is Law Day?

    Law Day is held on May 1st every year to celebrate the role of law in our society and to cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal profession. Learn more about the history of Law Day and past themes here.

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    Social Movement Changing America: The Legacies of the 19th Amendment

    The American Bar Association Division for Public Education and the Law Library of Congress present the Law Day 2020 program, "Social Movement Changing America: The Legacies of the 19th Amendment." Register below to join us for this virtual moderated panel discussion program featuring nationally recognized experts.

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    The 19th Amendment at 100: A Conversation with Judy Perry Martinez

    In preparation for Law Day 2020 the Library of Congress hosted ABA President Judy Perry Martinez for a conversation about the legacy of the 19th Amendment with Law Librarian of Congress and Deputy Librarian of Library Collections and Services Jane Sánchez. Jane and Judy discussed the lessons learned from the suffrage movement, and how the work of securing equal rights for women is still a struggle that continues into the present day.

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    For High School Students

    2020 Law Day Art Contest

    The American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division’s Law Day Art Contest asks participants to create an art piece that explores the theme: “Your Vote, Your Voice, Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100.”

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    Planning Resources

    Resources are available to help plan your Law Day 2020 activities and 19th Amendment centennial commemorations. This includes a timeline of women’s suffrage, 19th Amendment quick facts, a fair use photo gallery, list of state ratification anniversaries, profiles of 20 suffragists to know, as well as tools and checklists to assist in your event plans. Explore the connection between women’s rights and contemporary equal rights and ballot issues, even watch video explaining ratification and petitions.

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    Digital Resources

    Although you can't attend public events, we still have digital resources to help you plan a successful Law Day!

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    Lesson Plans

    Click here to view the lesson plans for elementary, middle and high school students.

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    Presidential Proclamation

    On Law Day, we celebrate the distinctive framework of our system of Government, which secures individual liberties and protects against arbitrary exercise of government power so that all citizens have the right and the freedom to pursue their American Dream.

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    Artwork

    Click here to download the 2020 Law Day Artwork in a variety of formats.

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    Law Day Products

    Themed & Classic

    Complete your planning with 2020 themed and classic Law Day products. Use code LDTENOFF for a special discount until March 13, 2020.

    Past Themes & Related Resources

    View past Law Day themes back to 1969, as well as access past planning guides, Dialogues for students, and the presidential proclamations archive.

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    The Centennial anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment

    The centennial anniversary of the Nineteenth Amendment gives state and local bar associations, lawyers, judges and other legal professionals, educators and civic organizations the opportunity to celebrate 100 years of women’s constitutional right to vote, to educate the public about the Nineteenth Amendment and the battle for women’s suffrage, and to promote law that ensures women’s full and equal exercise of their right to vote and to participate in our democracy. Learn more about the battle for women’s suffrage and access program planning resources for centennial celebration events.

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    Welcome to Law Day 2020

    ABA President Judy Perry Martinez

    The Law Day 2020 theme urges all of us to explore these legacies while also encouraging citizens to exercise their rights and responsibilities as voters. For more information and resources on this theme and Law Day, please visit lawday.org.

    Law Day Outstanding Activity Awards

    2019 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 2019 Law Day Outstanding Activity Award winners to learn about how they planned activities around the theme.

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    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.

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    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.

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