Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 14 / Friday, January 22, 2010 / Presidential Documents 3843 

Proclamation 8474 of January 15, 2010 

Religious Freedom Day, 2010 

By the President of the United States of America 

A Proclamation 

Long before our Nation’s independence, weary settlers sought refuge on 

our shores to escape religious persecution on other continents. Recognizing 

their strife and toil, it was the genius of America’s forefathers to protect 

our freedom of religion, including the freedom to practice none at all. 

Many faiths are now practiced in our Nation’s houses of worship, and 

that diversity is built upon a rich tradition of religious tolerance. On this 

day, we commemorate an early realization of our Nation’s founding ideals: 

Virginia’s 1786 Statute for Religious Freedom. 

The Virginia Statute was more than a law. It was a statement of principle, 

declaring freedom of religion as the natural right of all humanity—not a 

privilege for any government to give or take away. Penned by Thomas 

Jefferson and championed in the Virginia legislature by James Madison, 

it barred compulsory support of any church and ensured the freedom of 

all people to profess their faith openly, without fear of persecution. Five 

years later, the First Amendment of our Bill of Rights followed the Virginia 

Statute’s model, stating, ‘‘Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . .’’. 

Our Nation’s enduring commitment to the universal human right of religious 

freedom extends beyond our borders as we advocate for all who are denied 

the ability to choose and live their faith. My Administration will continue 

to oppose growing trends in many parts of the world to restrict religious 

expression. 

Faith can bring us closer to one another, and our freedom to practice 

our faith and follow our conscience is central to our ability to live in 

harmony. On Religious Freedom Day, let us pledge our constant support 

to all who struggle against religious oppression and rededicate ourselves 

to fostering peace with those whose beliefs differ from our own. In doing 

so, we reaffirm our common humanity and respect for all people with 

whom we share a brief moment on this Earth. 

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 January 16, 2010, 

as Religious Freedom Day. I call on all Americans to commemorate this 

day with events and activities that teach us about this critical foundation 

of our Nation’s liberty, and show us how we can protect it for future 

generations here and around the world. 


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3844 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 14 / Friday, January 22, 2010 / Presidential Documents 

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

of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence 

of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. 

[FR Doc. 2010–1369 

Filed 1–21–10; 8:45 am] 

Billing code 3195–W0–P 


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