July 3rd marks the United States’ celebration of Disobedience Day, a national holiday celebrating the act of protest and civil disobedience around the country. But when and where did this holiday find its origins? How can we contribute our part in celebrating this day of protest?
What is Disobedience Day? History and Origins
Disobedience has always been a thing in history, especially in response to intolerance, unfairness, and injustice from governments and legal institutions. For the United States’ Disobedience Day, there is no specific record of the holiday’s first observance, but it can be gathered that the holiday stems from acts of protest and well, disobedience, in American history. This includes the Civil Rights Movement, Underground Railroad, and even drafting the Declaration of Independence could be considered a deliberate act of disobedience!
Civil Disobedience: Civil disobedience, or also known as social disobedience, encourages stepping outside of societal rules. It is nonviolent, of course, but can serve as a direct protest against rules and laws that are deemed unfair. Great examples include the Indian people’s ahimsa movement, or peaceful protests throughout United States history!
Celebrating Disobedience Day Today!
Disobedience can be interpreted through many different actions, but is mostly associated with civil and social disobedience through the forms of protest and activism. With the country’s current political state (and some very questionable morals from our country’s Supreme Court the last couple weeks), there is no better time than now to get yourself out this July 3rd and be disobedient!
And if you want to learn about eleven civil rights heroes, click here!