National American History and Founders Month, 2020, 70419-70420 [2020-24739]

Agencies

• Executive Office of the President

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 215 (Thursday, November 5, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 70419-70420]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-24739]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 85 , No. 215 / Thursday, November 5, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 70419]]


                Proclamation 10110 of October 30, 2020

                
National American History and Founders Month, 
                2020

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In the Black Hills of South Dakota stands an enduring 
                tribute to four of our greatest Presidents--George 
                Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and 
                Teddy Roosevelt. Mount Rushmore symbolizes the proud 
                history of our Nation, a history that began on July 4, 
                1776, with the revolutionary words written in the 
                Declaration of Independence. This summer, I spoke 
                before this beautiful monument in celebration of 
                Independence Day to call attention to the brilliant 
                vision of our Founding Fathers and their profound, 
                momentous statement that ``all men are created equal.'' 
                And, earlier this year at the National Archives, the 
                sacred home of the Declaration of Independence, the 
                Constitution, and the Bill of Rights--our Nation's 
                Charters of Freedom--I pledged that our great American 
                heroes will never be forgotten, our schools will teach 
                the story of our Nation as it happened, and the truth 
                of our history will never be erased or rewritten. 
                Throughout this month, we celebrate the incredible 
                history of the United States and commit to continually 
                work toward the promise of a more perfect Union.

                The story of our Nation is one of tireless progress 
                toward realizing and defending our founding 
                principles--individual liberty, representative self-
                government, and equality of opportunity. In the 18th 
                century, the founding generation sacrificed blood and 
                treasure to defend the spark of liberty on this 
                continent, constructing the framework of our new 
                American society. In the 19th century, the mettle of 
                that foundation was tested as Americans took up arms 
                against one another in a struggle that ultimately 
                eradicated the great injustice of slavery from our 
                country, a conflict that, though it left a dark stain 
                on the fabric of our Nation, ultimately strengthened 
                our commitment to freedom and helped us further realize 
                the true promise of the founding. The American 20th 
                century saw great strides in progress for civil rights, 
                as women won the right to vote and timeless voices like 
                Martin Luther King, Jr., illuminated the path toward 
                true equality for Black Americans. Abroad, American 
                service members carried the torch of liberty to those 
                in need, liberating Europe and Asia from fascist 
                oppression and freeing billions of people around the 
                world from the suffocating yoke of communism.

                This is the inheritance of today's generation of 
                Americans. A history defined by righteous struggle in 
                service to our founding ideals of liberty and justice 
                for all. A history populated by heroes and warriors for 
                freedom. And a history marked by an unyielding 
                commitment to virtue and principle. This history is 
                what distinguishes our Nation as the most free and just 
                society in the world.

                Today, however, a fringe element of radical 
                politicians, media voices, corporate executives, and 
                other activists seek to use their immense power to 
                obscure the ideals of our country, rewrite our Nation's 
                proud history, and desecrate the memory of our 
                Founders. Statues have been torn down and destroyed, 
                violent mobs have masqueraded under the false banner of 
                peaceful protests, and free speech has come under siege 
                in the public square and on online platforms. As one 
                example among many, theoretical frameworks like 
                ``Critical Race Theory'' have corrupted our United 
                States history

[[Page 70420]]

                and civic education courses in public schools, board 
                rooms, the military, and government agencies, promoting 
                racial division and discrimination. Adherents to 
                Critical Race Theory and other associated ideologies 
                believe that America is an inherently racist and sexist 
                country, defined by oppression and hierarchies of 
                victimhood, rather than freedom and equality. Critical 
                Race Theory and those who promote it seek to strip 
                individual agency from all Americans and instead 
                relegate them into pre-determined categories of belief 
                based on their racial or sexual identity. If Americans 
                are distracted by such theories from studying the true 
                history of our great Nation--its mistakes and its 
                triumphs--we risk the dissolution of our common bonds 
                and we will be weakened as a country. That is why I 
                recently signed an Executive Order that bans executive 
                departments and agencies and Federal contractors from 
                teaching Critical Race Theory, in an effort to prevent 
                the indoctrination of the American people by these 
                dangerous ideologies. Now, more than ever, we must 
                continue to forge an even brighter future for our 
                Nation by preserving its past. As President, I will 
                always honor the great legacy of America's history and 
                its Founders.

                Throughout this month, we recommit to protecting the 
                great American story, one of a Nation that has promoted 
                liberty and ensured freedom for millions. We know that 
                when we collectively recognize and cherish our history, 
                we are made stronger as one people. The divine truth 
                our Founders enshrined in the fabric of our Nation--
                that all people are created equal--will, if we cherish 
                and protect it, ensure the blessings of unparalleled 
                freedom and prosperity for all posterity.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 
                2020 as National American History and Founders Month. I 
                call upon the people of the United States to observe 
                this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirtieth day of October, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2020-24739
Filed 11-4-20; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F1-P