President Eisenhower today issued a proclamation calling upon all citizens of the United States “to join with peoples throughout the world” in observing December 10 as United Nations Human Rights Day.
The proclamation also urged the American people to observe on December 15 the 163rd anniversary of the adoption of the Bill of Bights and to give “profound thanks” throughout the year for the rights the people of the United States have so long enjoyed – freedom of speech and of the press; freedom to worship in accord with the dictates of conscience; fair trial and freedom from arbitrary arrest; the right to own property and to profit by the fruits of our labors.
“For these rights and freedoms men and women in many countries have striven and died, as our forefathers strove and died, and as today still others strive and die in defense of human dignity against the claims of totalitarian governments. Let us as free men stand firm in our faith in liberty for all nations and all peoples. Let us by example and cooperation strengthen the world-wide recognition of human rights as the basis for a lasting and prosperous peace,” the President’s proclamation stated.
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