Proclamation 3758—Bill of Rights Day, Human Rights Day, Human Rights Week

One hundred and seventy-five years ago, on December 15, 1791, our Bill of Rights—the first ten amendments of the United States Constitution—became effective. The Bill of Rights guarantees to every American the rights which are the foundation of democracy—freedom of speech and religion, the right to peaceable assembly and petition, and the right to fair trial and protection against cruel and unusual punishments. The Bill of Rights thus affirms the words of the Declaration of Independence:

—That all men are created equal,

—That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,

—That among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,

—That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, and

—That governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed.

Any denial of these rights diminishes our stature as a nation. Yet, for too many, the ideals of freedom, justice, and equality are words only, with no real place or meaning in their daily lives.

Our successes in the struggle for human rights must not content us. Let them, rather, encourage us to move forward in this noblest of work of man. It must never be said that injustice and inequality lived on in this era of unparalleled opportunity with our permission or our encouragement.

On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a standard for all people and all nations. It recognizes that equal and inalienable rights for all mankind are essential to freedom, justice, and peace in the world. It calls for an international order in which these rights and freedoms can be fully realized.

We must oppose any force—whether at home or abroad—which would deny these rights or take them away by threats or violence. We can take no other course. This is our heritage and our choice.

Now, Therefore, I, Lyndon B. Johnson, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 10, 1966, as Human Rights Day and December 15, 1966, as Bill of Rights Day, and call upon the people of the United States to observe the week of December 1017 as Human Rights Week, with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this fifth day of December in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and sixty-six, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and ninety-first.

LYNDON B. JOHNSON

By the President:

NICHOLAS DEB. KATZENBACH

Acting Secretary of State