[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 44 (Monday, November 10, 2008)]
[Page 1402]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8318--World Freedom Day, 2008

 November 7, 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.
     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.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., November 10, 
2008]

Note: This proclamation will be published in the Federal Register on 
November 12.