The Liberty Bell Award - Symbol of Law Day

Abstract

This article explores the history of the Liberty Bell Award. Many bar associations present Liberty Bell Awards as a part of Law Day celebrations on May 1 each year. The award honors persons who have contributed to a greater understanding of the American legal system or helped strenghten our system of justice. Few persons are aware of the origin of the award, however.

The Liberty Bell Award was conceived by Flint, Michigan attorney William P. Daniel and first awarded by the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of Michigan in 1962. The American Bar Association in 1964 formally endorsed the award for use by bar associations nationally. Since then the Liberty Bell Award has enhanced the observation of Law Day across the nation, and thousands of individuals have received recognition for extraordinary contributions to the American legal system. [Includes photographs.]

Keywords: Law Day, Liberty Bell Award