National Sanctity of Human Life Day

National Sanctity of Human Life Day

National Sanctity of Human Life Day is an observance declared by several U.S. Presidents who opposed abortion.

Contents

History

In a January 13, 1984 proclamation, President Ronald Reagan designated January 22, 1984 as the first National Sanctity of Human Life Day. The date was chosen to coincide with the 11th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court case that first recognized the constitutionally-protected status of abortion in the United States.[1]

Reagan issued the proclamation annually thereafter, designating Sanctity of Human Life Day to be the third Sunday in January, which represents the closest Sunday to the original January 22 date. His successor, George H. W. Bush, continued the annual proclamation throughout his presidency. Bush's successor, Bill Clinton, discontinued the practice throughout his eight years in office, but Bush's son and Clinton's successor, George W. Bush, resumed the proclamation, and did so every year of his presidency.

Response

The proclamation of National Sanctity of Human Life Day has been heralded by National Right to Life as "a wonderful statement of what the pro-life movement is really all about". Reproductive activist groups like NARAL and Planned Parenthood have denounced it, saying it signals a desire to roll back the rights of women.[2]

In an amicus brief filed by the National Lawyers Association in the case of Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow, National Sanctity of Human Life Day was cited as an instance of the executive branch acknowledging the theistic philosophy of the United States government.[3]

See also

References

  1. ^ Gaustad and Schmidt, p. 406
  2. ^ "Bush Declares..."
  3. ^ NLA Brief

External links

Proclamations

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • National Confederation of Human Rights Organisations — The National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (NCHRO) is a common platform of various groups and individuals committed to the cause of human rights in India. Contents 1 Encounter killings 2 Resolutions 3 NCHRO’s call for vigilant… …   Wikipedia

  • March for Life — Marchers outside the Capitol Location Washington, D.C. Date Every year since January 22, 1974 …   Wikipedia

  • HUMAN DIGNITY AND FREEDOM — These are fundamental values in the world of Judaism and, today in the Jewish State. In 1992, Basic Law: Human Dignity and Freedom was enacted, to anchor rights derived from these values. Section 1 of the Basic Law determines that: Fundamental… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

  • Life extension — refers to an increase in maximum or average lifespan, especially in humans, by slowing down or reversing the processes of aging. Average lifespan is determined by vulnerability to accidents and age related afflictions such as cancer or… …   Wikipedia

  • Life Sciences — ▪ 2009 Introduction Zoology       In 2008 several zoological studies provided new insights into how species life history traits (such as the timing of reproduction or the length of life of adult individuals) are derived in part as responses to… …   Universalium

  • Life and Fate — infobox Book | name = Life and Fate title orig = translator = author = Vasily Grossman illustrator = cover artist = country = U.S.S.R. language = Russian series = genre = publisher = release date = media type = pages = isbn = preceded by =… …   Wikipedia

  • National-Anarchism — This article is specifically about the National Anarchist movement. See Anarchism and nationalism for general information about fusions of nationalist and anarchist ideas. The National Anarchist Star, or purple star of sovereignty, one of several …   Wikipedia

  • National Association of Evangelicals — NAE Logo The National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is a fellowship of member denominations, churches, organizations, and individuals. Its goal is to honor God by connecting and representing evangelicals in the United States. Today it works… …   Wikipedia

  • Pro-life — is a term representing a variety of perspectives and activist movements in bioethics. It is most commonly (especially in the media and popular discourse) refers to opposition to abortion and support for fetal rights. The term describes the… …   Wikipedia

  • RIGHTS, HUMAN — The following article deals with the subject of human rights, their essence and the contents of various fundamental rights as reflected in the sources of Jewish Law. The interpretation of Israel s Basic Laws concerning human rights in accordance… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”