[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 124, 111th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
PROCLAMATION 8599--NOV. 8, 2010

Proclamation 8599 of November 8, 2010
World Freedom Day, 2010
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

The Berlin Wall once stood as a painful barrier between family and
friends, a dark symbol of oppression and stifled liberties. On November
9, 1989, in a powerful affirmation of freedom, Germans from both sides
of the wall joined to tear down the hated blockade. World Freedom Day
commemorates the end of this icon of division; celebrates the courageous
resolve of individuals who insisted upon a better future for themselves
and their country; and marks the reunification of a city, a nation, and
a people. This cherished day also calls upon us to reflect

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on our world anew and recognize that the work of freedom is never
finished.
Our world has become increasingly interconnected, and more prosperous,
cooperative, and free. We stand at a transformational moment in history,
where there is tremendous potential not only to tear down walls, but
also to build bridges between people separated by geography, cultures,
and beliefs. Across the world, we have seen the power of the ballot box
and the desire of people to break through artificial barriers and work
to implement solutions to common challenges. Civil society and
governments are coming together as never before to promote liberty,
share knowledge, and protect human dignity.
With enduring bonds forged across decades, the democracies that emerged
one by one from behind the Iron Curtain are now America's allies and
partners, and today we jointly confront global challenges. Examples of
the strength of conviction, these sovereign nations inspire all who
still yearn to exercise their universal human rights. The 21st
anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall is an occasion to renew our
common commitment to advance the cause of world freedom in the 21st
century.
The arc of history has shown that human destiny is what we make of it.
Freedom has expanded across the globe because principled men and women
have marched, spoken out, and demanded the rights and dignity that
should be enjoyed by all humanity. Those nations that have already
secured these liberties share a responsibility to uphold the light of
freedom in other countries as well as in their own. On World Freedom
Day, we rededicate ourselves to supporting democracy and the rule of
law, to strengthening civil society, and to promoting the free exchange
of information around the world. United in common purpose, we will
continue to work towards the promise of a brighter future and a time
when all peoples and nations enjoy the hope and peace of freedom.
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, 2010, 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 ten, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fifth.
BARACK OBAMA