[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 219 (Thursday, November 13, 2014)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 67311-67312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-26995]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 219 / Thursday, November 13, 2014 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 67311]]


                Proclamation 9209 of November 7, 2014

                
World Freedom Day, 2014

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                For nearly three decades, the Berlin Wall divided a 
                nation and stood as one symbol of a system that denied 
                individuals the freedoms that are the right of every 
                person. It separated families and suppressed free will 
                and self-determination--but while it tried to contain 
                the yearnings of a courageous and unwavering people for 
                liberty and justice, it could not crush them. Twenty-
                five years ago today, Germans from East and West came 
                together to tear down the Wall and begin the work of 
                building an open and prosperous society. On World 
                Freedom Day, we honor a generation that refused to be 
                defined by a wall, and we reaffirm our commitment to 
                stand with all those who seek to join the free world.

                The images of this extraordinary event are seared in 
                our memory and enshrined in our history: brave crowds 
                climbing atop an old barrier and Berliners reuniting in 
                city streets. But the victory of 1989 was not 
                inevitable. We will not forget those who risked 
                bullets, dug through tunnels, leapt from buildings, and 
                crossed barbed wire, minefields, and a mighty river in 
                pursuit of freedom. In their struggle--and in the 
                memory of all those who did not live to see Berlin 
                united and free--Americans see our own past, as well as 
                the spirit of citizens around the world who long for 
                opportunity and are willing to do the hard work of 
                building a democracy.

                America stood with those on both sides of the Iron 
                Curtain who held fast to the belief that a better 
                future was possible, and as the Berlin Wall fell, it 
                spurred a more integrated, more prosperous, and more 
                secure Europe. Today, Germany is one of our strongest 
                allies. And as we pay tribute to our shared past, we 
                are reminded that upholding peace and security is the 
                responsibility of every nation. There is no progress 
                without sacrifice and no freedom without solidarity, 
                and we cannot shrink from our role of advancing the 
                values in which we believe.

                The story of Berlin shows us that with grit and 
                determination, we have the power to shape our own 
                destiny, even in the face of impossible odds. As we 
                celebrate a triumph over tyranny, we also recognize 
                that the challenges to peace and human dignity continue 
                in our complex world and that complacency is not the 
                character of great nations. Let us resolve to extend a 
                hand to those who reach for freedom still and continue 
                the pursuit of peace in our time.

                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, 2014, 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 67312]]

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

[FR Doc. 2014-26995
Filed 11-12-14; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F5