ABA's Law Day 2015 focuses on Magna Carta

The American Bar Association's Law Day events on April 29 and April 30 will celebrate the contributions of the Great Charter of Liberty and inspect its 800 years in pursuit of freedom and its influence on American and international law.

What makes Magna Carta Mythic? What is-or was-"Magna Carta"? How has it been interpreted over time? Misinterpreted? These questions and others will be the focus of the ABA's Law Day event, the 13th Annual Leon Jaworski Public Program, Thursday, April 30, from 5-7 p.m. at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C.

The program is one of many events and activities planned throughout the nation to focus attention on the Law Day 2015 theme, "Magna Carta: Symbol of Freedom Under Law." The theme highlights a humble and lasting truth that: No one, no matter how powerful, is above the law.

"The 'Great Charter' is the foundation for the rule of law and is a symbol of freedom and justice in the United States and around the world," ABA President William C. Hubbard said. "Today, the principles of rule of law embodied in Magna Carta remain as necessary and important as ever."

"Law Day is a national observance annually on May 1 to underscore the importance of the rule of law and its impact on our daily lives," National Law Day Chair Stephen Curley said.

National Law Day highlights include:

Wednesday, April 29, 9 10:30 a.m.

Dialogue on Magna Carta - Nearly 250 high school students from around the nation will discuss the significance of Magna Carta and its 800th anniversary. They will probe such topics as Magna Carta and the American Colonies, Magna Carta for All Mankind and Magna Carta for the Internet. This is an interactive event. Students will tweet live from the program by using the National Law Day 2015 events hashtag, #ABALawDay. This event is sponsored by the ABA Division of Public Education in partnership with the Close Up Foundation, a nonprofit organization that educates and inspires young people to become informed and engaged citizens.

Featured speakers include ABA President William C. Hubbard and National Law Day Chair Steve Curley.

Thursday, April 30, 8 10 a.m.

Breakfast with High School Teachers - Teachers from around the nation will share ideas about the relevance of Magna Carta. They will receive Magna Carta toolkits, which contain resources to help engage students in an ongoing dialogue about Magna Carta. This event is conducted in cooperation with the Close Up Foundation.

Featured speakers include ABA President William C. Hubbard; Tim Davis, CEO and president of Close Up Foundation; ABA President-Elect Paulette Brown; Steve Curley, National Law Day chair; and Stephen Wermiel, professor, American University Washington College of Law

Thursday, April 30, 5 7 p.m.

The Leon Jaworski Public Program - Panelists will discuss "The Great Charter: What Makes Magna Carta Mythic?" This event is sponsored by the ABA Division for Public Education in conjunction with the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and is open to the public. ABA President William C. Hubbard will preside.

The moderator will be John Milewski, director of digital programming at the Woodrow Wilson Center.

The special guest will be Justice Stephen G. Breyer of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Speakers include Akhil Reed Amar, Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University; H. Robert Baker, associate professor of History at Georgia State University; Daniel Magraw, professorial lecturer at John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies; and Joyce Lee Malcom, Patrick Henry Professor of Constitutional Law and the Second Amendment at George Mason University School of Law.

Envisioned in 1957 by then-ABA President Charles S. Rhyne as a national day to recognize the country's commitment to the rule of law, Law Day was established by President Dwight Eisenhower the following year. Congress issued a joint resolution in 1961 designating May 1 as the official Law Day. Many civic groups and bar associations celebrate with a month of programs, presentations and events. Visit the ABA's Law Day website (LawDay.org) for information about Law Day programs throughout the country.

Published: Tue, Apr 28, 2015