Presidential Documents

89907 

Federal Register 

Vol. 89, No. 220 

Thursday, November 14, 2024 

Title 3— 

The President 

Proclamation 10856 of November 8, 2024 

World Freedom Day, 2024 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Today marks 35 years since the Berlin Wall came down. Its fall was one 

of the greatest advances in human dignity in my lifetime. As we celebrate 

this anniversary, may we all remember that what brought the Berlin Wall 

down and lifted the Iron Curtain is what keeps the flame of liberty shining 

bright around the world: the determination of free people everywhere who 

never fail to stand up for their freedoms and their democracy. 

I still remember when, as a young Senator, I visited West Berlin and saw 

what it meant to live in a divided city, country, and continent. Then, 

in 1989, along with millions of people around the world, I watched the 

70,000 brave souls gathered in Leipzig, Germany, crying out for freedom. 

After the wall came down, some feared the reunification of Germany would 

revive old hatreds and rivalries, but leaders of America and Germany dreamed 

together of a much better future. The achievement of a Germany whole 

and free lives on, exceeding everyone’s expectations, and the dream of 

Europe whole and free remains the work of our time. My Administration 

is committed to pushing back against Putin’s vicious attack on Ukraine. 

It is another battle in the long struggle for freedom and against aggression 

and tyranny. 

Together with our partners and allies, the United States is continuing to 

fight for the freedom and rights of people around the world. We are working 

to build a future where women and girls share equal rights and opportunities 

in their communities; where Indigenous groups, people with disabilities, 

and racial, ethnic, and religious minorities live free from discrimination; 

and where LGBTQI+ people can live lives free from fear and hate. And 

we must all stay committed to supporting democracy around the world— 

and at home. I call on the American people to stand up in defense of 

our democracy because every generation must do the work of defending, 

protecting, and safeguarding it. 

The future will be won by those who unleash the full potential of their 

people to breathe and think freely, innovate and educate daringly, and 

live and love openly and without fear. That is the soul of democracy— 

and I have seen it all around the world, from the brave men and women 

who brought down the Berlin Wall to the people who are fighting in every 

region for freedom, justice, and dignity. Today, may we strengthen our 

commitment to our democracy and to one another, knowing that the darkness 

that drives autocracy is no match for the flame of liberty that lights the 

souls of free people everywhere. 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., 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, 2024, 

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

America to remember the hope symbolized by the fall of the Berlin Wall 

and reaffirm our dedication to freedom and democracy. 

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

of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-four, and of 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PRESDOC-D0
89908 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 220 / Thursday, November 14, 2024 / Presidential Documents 

the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and 

forty-ninth. 

[FR Doc. 2024–26702 

Filed 11–13–24; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3395–F4–P 


ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with PRESDOC-D0BIDEN.EPS</GPH>