Freedom
is the most basic of all
human rights, and yet
throughout history many
individuals and nations
have had to struggle to
be free. For this reason,
the first ten Amendments,
known as the Bill of Rights,
were added to the American
Constitution to guarantee
basic freedoms for our
new nation's citizens.
The
Bill of Rights was a tremendous
milestone in the pursuit
of freedom for all, and
yet when our nation was
founded, not all Americans
were allowed to be free.
Slavery is the ultimate
loss of freedom, and it
was nearly another 100
years before Abraham Lincoln
signed the 13th Amendment
abolishing slavery. National
Freedom Day commemorates
this momentous occasion
on February 1, 1865.
The
first article of the United
Nations' Universal Declaration
of Human Rights states
the most important starting
point for all human rights
- "All human beings are
born free and equal in
dignity and rights." Much
progress has been made
in helping to win freedom
for all, throughout the
world. But even though
international law forbids
slavery, it still exists
in many parts of the world,
where women and young
girls and boys are trafficked
as prostitutes. And even
though all nations agreed
to uphold basic human
rights for their citizens,
many people are not allowed
these basic liberties.
Freedom Day is an opportunity
to celebrate the victories
for freedom that have
been won and to re-dedicate
our commitment to work
for freedom for all.
World
Freedom Day is observed
on November 9 to
commemorate the fall of
the Berlin Wall in 1989,
freeing the people of
East Berlin and uniting
the German nation. July
4 is celebrated as
Independence Day
commemorating when the
American colonies won
their freedom from Great
Britain. Most nations
were under the rule of
another nation at some
time in their history,
so it isn't surprising
that most nations also
celebrate the anniversary
of the date when they
won their freedom.
Links
www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/es/pa/free_1
www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/
uscode36/usc_sec_36_00000124----000-.html
FREEDOM
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