[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 219 (Monday, November 15, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 69571-69572]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-28852]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 219 / Monday, November 15, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

[[Page 69571]]

                Proclamation 8599 of November 8, 2010

                
World Freedom Day, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                The Berlin Wall once stood as a painful barrier between 
                family and friends, a dark symbol of oppression and 
                stifled liberties. On November 9, 1989, in a powerful 
                affirmation of freedom, Germans from both sides of the 
                wall joined to tear down the hated blockade. World 
                Freedom Day commemorates the end of this icon of 
                division; celebrates the courageous resolve of 
                individuals who insisted upon a better future for 
                themselves and their country; and marks the 
                reunification of a city, a nation, and a people. This 
                cherished day also calls upon us to reflect on our 
                world anew and recognize that the work of freedom is 
                never finished.

                Our world has become increasingly interconnected, and 
                more prosperous, cooperative, and free. We stand at a 
                transformational moment in history, where there is 
                tremendous potential not only to tear down walls, but 
                also to build bridges between people separated by 
                geography, cultures, and beliefs. Across the world, we 
                have seen the power of the ballot box and the desire of 
                people to break through artificial barriers and work to 
                implement solutions to common challenges. Civil society 
                and governments are coming together as never before to 
                promote liberty, share knowledge, and protect human 
                dignity.

                With enduring bonds forged across decades, the 
                democracies that emerged one by one from behind the 
                Iron Curtain are now America's allies and partners, and 
                today we jointly confront global challenges. Examples 
                of the strength of conviction, these sovereign nations 
                inspire all who still yearn to exercise their universal 
                human rights. The 21st anniversary of the fall of the 
                Berlin Wall is an occasion to renew our common 
                commitment to advance the cause of world freedom in the 
                21st century.

                The arc of history has shown that human destiny is what 
                we make of it. Freedom has expanded across the globe 
                because principled men and women have marched, spoken 
                out, and demanded the rights and dignity that should be 
                enjoyed by all humanity. Those nations that have 
                already secured these liberties share a responsibility 
                to uphold the light of freedom in other countries as 
                well as in their own. On World Freedom Day, we 
                rededicate ourselves to supporting democracy and the 
                rule of law, to strengthening civil society, and to 
                promoting the free exchange of information around the 
                world. United in common purpose, we will continue to 
                work towards the promise of a brighter future and a 
                time when all peoples and nations enjoy the hope and 
                peace of freedom.

                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 November 9, 2010, 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 69572]]

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

[FR Doc. 2010-28852
Filed 11-12-10; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W1-P