[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 12, 2008)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 66713-66714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-26989]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 219 / Wednesday, November 12, 2008 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 66713]]

                Proclamation 8318 of November 7, 2008

                
World Freedom Day, 2008

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                On World Freedom Day, we celebrate the anniversary of 
                the historic fall of the Berlin Wall and honor the 
                brave citizens of East and West Germany who helped 
                secure freedom and liberty for future generations.

                The Berlin Wall stood as a barrier that isolated the 
                victims of imperial Communism and totalitarian power 
                from the promise of the free world. Standing in the 
                presence of the wall, with an unshakable belief in the 
                power of liberty, President Ronald Reagan issued a 
                resounding challenge on behalf of the free and the 
                unfree alike: ``Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.'' 
                On November 9, 1989, the citizens of East Germany 
                finally triumphed over their Communist oppressors, and 
                the Berlin Wall came tumbling down. As the hope of 
                freedom spread, the Soviet empire collapsed, the Iron 
                Curtain was lifted, and Eastern and Central Europe were 
                liberated from decades of cruel tyranny.

                The Cold War demonstrated once again that freedom is 
                precious and cannot be taken for granted, that evil is 
                real and must be confronted, and that if they are 
                allowed to do so, harsh rulers will subjugate others in 
                the name of hateful ideologies. History has also proven 
                that the transformative power of liberty overcomes this 
                oppression. Today, many former Communist countries are 
                using their sovereignty to aid the rise of other young 
                democracies and to shine the light of conscience on 
                human rights abuses. Our belief in the universality of 
                freedom is challenged time and again, but we continue 
                to go forward with confidence that free nations will 
                always prevail over the enemies of liberty, peace, and 
                justice.

                On World Freedom Day, we are reminded that injustice 
                overseas can threaten our way of life at home, and we 
                renew our commitment to helping those who suffer under 
                the weight of oppression.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United 
                States, do hereby proclaim November 9, 2008, 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.

[[Page 66714]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. E8-26989
Filed 11-10-08; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W9-P