As we get closer to May 1, 2018, educational institutions, bar associations, and community organizations will host programs for students and the general public to commemorate Law Day.
The theme for Law Day 2018 is Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom. lawday.org
Overview
On February 3, 1958, President Eisenhower, proclaimed May 1, 1958 as Law Day. In 1961, Congress, enacted a law, permanently making May 1st of every year as Law Day and mandating a Presidential proclamation for each Law Day (36 U.S.C. 113).
The American Bar Association’s Division for Public Education provides resources for lawyers, teachers, and the general public in keeping with the current year’s theme for Law Day. The theme for Law Day 2018 is Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom.
Resources for Law Day 2018 are available at lawday.org.
The Division for Public Education also makes available the themes, proclamations, and dialogues from past Law Days at its website.
Last year, the theme for Law Day was “The 14th Amendment: Transforming American Democracy.” People may view the 2017 Planning Guide, Dialogue, and Presidential Proclamation at the website of the Division for Public Education.
Art Contest
Each year, the ABA’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD) hosts an art contest for students in grades 9 through 12 (or the equivalent) in the United States. Students may compete as individuals or in groups. Information regarding contest rules and guidelines may be accessed at ambar.org/lawday.
Events
State and local bar associations plan events for Law Day and if you would like to see if a bar association in your state has planned or is planning Law Day events, consult the ABA’s directory of state and local bar association resources.
The Division for Public Education recognizes the most creative Law Day events. The Utah State Bar won the award for Best Theme Interpretation. Friends of City Heights Library won the Best Public Program Award. The Orange County Bar Association won the Best Student Program Award. The ABA Division for Public Education has listed last year’s Law Day 2017 Outstanding Activity Award Finalists on Instagram.
I hope that you will save the date of May 1, 2018 and get involved in Law Day programs in your communities. The Division for Public Education’s website includes instructions for signing up for its Law Day 2018 listserv.
Participating in Law Day events is as easy as one-two-three:
- Sign up for the Division for Public Education’s Law Day Listserv.
- Follow the hashtags #lawday and #lawday2018 on social media.
- Get involved with the planning of a Law Day event in your area.
So, follow the above three steps and review the following resources as you make plans for Law Day 2018.
Resources
United States
Law Day 2018 – ABA Division for Public Education
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_education/initiatives_awards/law-day.html
2018 ABA YLD Art Contest
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers/initiatives/law_day_art_contest.html
What is Law Day? A Primer – ABA Law Student Division
https://abaforlawstudents.com/2017/05/01/law-day-primer/
History.com’s (http://www.history.com/) This Day in History – May 1st.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/president-eisenhower-proclaims-law-day
Judicial Learning Center’s Law Day Lesson Plans
http://judiciallearningcenter.org/law-day-lesson-plans/
Federal Bar Association’s Resources for Civics Education
http://www.fedbar.org/Outreach/Civics.aspx
Street Law, Inc.’s Law Day Resources for Teachers
http://streetlaw.org/en/newsroom/Article/541/May_1_is_Law_Day_Resources_for_Teachers (based on last year’s theme)
United States Courts’ Law Day
http://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/annual-observances/law-day (based on the 2016 theme)
International
The Canadian Bar Association’s Law Day Webpage
http://www.cba.org/For-The-Public/Law-Day
Rule of Law Institute of Australia
https://www.ruleoflaw.org.au/