Presidential Documents

69571 

Federal Register 

Vol. 75, No. 219 

Monday, November 15, 2010 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 8599 of November 8, 2010 

World Freedom Day, 2010 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

The Berlin Wall once stood as a painful barrier between family and friends, 

a dark symbol of oppression and stifled liberties. On November 9, 1989, 

in a powerful affirmation of freedom, Germans from both sides of the wall 

joined to tear down the hated blockade. World Freedom Day commemorates 

the end of this icon of division; celebrates the courageous resolve of individuals who insisted upon a better future for themselves and their country; 

and marks the reunification of a city, a nation, and a people. This cherished 

day also calls upon us to reflect on our world anew and recognize that 

the work of freedom is never finished. 

Our world has become increasingly interconnected, and more prosperous, 

cooperative, and free. We stand at a transformational moment in history, 

where there is tremendous potential not only to tear down walls, but also 

to build bridges between people separated by geography, cultures, and beliefs. 

Across the world, we have seen the power of the ballot box and the desire 

of people to break through artificial barriers and work to implement solutions 

to common challenges. Civil society and governments are coming together 

as never before to promote liberty, share knowledge, and protect human 

dignity. 

With enduring bonds forged across decades, the democracies that emerged 

one by one from behind the Iron Curtain are now America’s allies and 

partners, and today we jointly confront global challenges. Examples of the 

strength of conviction, these sovereign nations inspire all who still yearn 

to exercise their universal human rights. The 21st anniversary of the fall 

of the Berlin Wall is an occasion to renew our common commitment to 

advance the cause of world freedom in the 21st century. 

The arc of history has shown that human destiny is what we make of 

it. Freedom has expanded across the globe because principled men and 

women have marched, spoken out, and demanded the rights and dignity 

that should be enjoyed by all humanity. Those nations that have already 

secured these liberties share a responsibility to uphold the light of freedom 

in other countries as well as in their own. On World Freedom Day, we 

rededicate ourselves to supporting democracy and the rule of law, to strengthening civil society, and to promoting the free exchange of information around 

the world. United in common purpose, we will continue to work towards 

the promise of a brighter future and a time when all peoples and nations 

enjoy the hope and peace of freedom. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States 

of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution 

and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 9, 2010, 

as World Freedom Day. I call upon the people of the United States to 

observe this day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, reaffirming 

our dedication to freedom and democracy. 


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69572 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 219 / Monday, November 15, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day 

of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth. 

[FR Doc. 2010–28852 

Filed 11–12–10; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W1–P 


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