[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 131, 115th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9673 of November 8, 2017

World Freedom Day, 2017

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

For 28 years, the Berlin Wall divided families, friends, and
communities, barricading oppressed Germans living on the Eastern side
from seeking the freedom they deserved in the West. This World Freedom
Day, 28 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, we celebrate the day on
November 9, 1989, when people of East and West Germany tore down the
Berlin Wall and freedom triumphed over Communism. We laud the courage of
all people who insist on a better future for themselves, their families,
and their country, as we reflect on the state of freedom in our world
today and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending it.
The fall of the Berlin Wall spurred the reunification of Germany and the
spread of democratic values across Central and Eastern Europe. Through
democratic elections, and a strong commitment to human rights, these
determined men and women ensured that their fellow and future citizens
could live their lives in freedom. Today, we are reminded that the
primary function of government is precisely this, to secure precious
individual liberties.
While we live in a time of unprecedented freedom, terrorism and
extremism around the world continue to threaten us. The ultimate triumph
of freedom, peace, and security over repressive totalitarianism depends
on our ability to work side-by-side with our friends and allies. When
nations work together, we have and we will secure and advance freedom
and stability throughout our world.

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On World Freedom Day, we recommit to the advancement of freedom over the
forces of repression and radicalism. We continue to make clear that
oppressive regimes should trust their people and grant their citizens
the liberty they deserve. The world will be better for it.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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, 2017, 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.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of
November, in the year of our Lord two thousand seventeen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
second.
DONALD J. TRUMP