1. The Bill of Rights is a major part of the "American way of life." America's civic holidays—Presidents Day, Martin Luther King Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Thanksgiving Day—all remind us of the special contributions and sacrifices made by our forebears to protect and extend our freedoms. Each of these civic holidays exists because someone cared enough to fight -- and sometimes die -- for our rights—the rights contained in the Bill of Rights.

2. The Bill of Rights and everything it stands for is in danger of being forgotten. Many or most Americans do not know their Bill of Rights, and therefore they stand by as the government extends its powers and gradually takes away our rights to free speech, fair trials, self-defense, and the privacy of our own homes, records, and possessions. A special day would encourage even the government schools to teach about the Bill of Rights and these disappearing freedoms for at least one day per year.

3. Bill of Rights Day will declare America's commitment to fundamental human rights to the whole world.


4 . Just as celebrating the Jewish and Christian Holy Days reminds Americans of these religious beliefs and traditions, Bill of Rights Day can annually remind America of how its history and philosophy have produced the rights which oppressed peoples everywhere still long for.

5. Bill of Rights Day will be a super Memorial Day. It would honor the personal sacrifices and deaths of countless millions of people who struggled for basic human and civil rights for the last thousand years.

6. Bill of Rights Day will help force today's politicians to take a stand for or against fundamental American rights.

7. Bill of Rights Day will remind prosecutors, bureaucrats, and judges that their authority and power are limited.

8. Bill of Rights Day can remind all members of government that they serve the citizens -- not rule them -- and that the citizens always retain the right to stop government from becoming a monster.

9. Bill of Rights Day will help Americans on the political left, center, and right see how we all share common core values—and how we must all work together to keep our government on a short leash.

It's very surprising that we Americans don't already celebrate the Bill of Rights. It is our greatest national treasure, and it is well deserving of a national day of commemoration and education.