Today, May 1, is Law Day. According to 36 U.S.C. §113, “Law Day, U.S.A., is a special day of celebration by the people of the United States in appreciation of their liberties and the reaffirmation of their loyalty to the United States and of their rededication to the ideals of equality and justice under law in their relations with each other and with other countries; and for the cultivation of the respect for law that is so vital to the democratic way of life.”
President Eisenhower first proclaimed Law Day in 1958. Since May 1 was May Day in communist countries, Law Day was viewed in part as a counterstatement in favor of democracy. Each year, the President of the United States issues a proclamation in honor of Law Day. In New Jersey, the judiciary holds one or more special events to commemorate Law Day.
Appellate courts make a special contribution to “the ideals of equality and justice under law” and to “the respect for law that is so vital to the democratic way of life.” Law Day is an apt time to recognize the contributions of our appellate courts to the American system of justice.