Norman Rockwell’s Freedom of Speech, the first of the Four Freedoms series, appeared on the cover of the Saturday Evening Post on this day in 1943.
Based on remarks in President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1941 State of the Union Address, the four freedoms referenced were Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear. The paintings were featured in successive weeks on the cover of the Post. The images were later used as part of the U.S. Government War Bond Drive.
It’s important to note that only freedom of speech and freedom of worship are actually included in the United States Constitution.
There’s been a lot said about freedom of speech lately.
Let’s just say that just because you have the freedom to say something doesn’t mean you should say it.
At the same time, there’s absolutely no provision for any sort of freedom from being offended.
Today is President’s Day.
I’m old enough to remember when it was just Washington’s birthday. After all, I grew up in the South where we didn’t celebrate the Yankee.
That’s a joke, by the way.
And remember, there’s no freedom of not being offended.
You may, or should, recall that schools in my county were desegregated the year I started first grade. So, I’m really not exaggerating…that much.
But that’s another story, and whilst I have the freedom to talk about that, and to talk about the fact that while we can learn much from our history even when it’s ugly, we’ll save that for another post.
Perhaps on another blog.
Written by someone else.
Washington’s actual birthday was February 22, Lincoln’s February 12. The compromise was to make the third Monday the holiday.
Enjoy your day off.
And then go spend some Washingtons and Lincolns on the President’s Day Sales.
American actress, singer, and dancer Sandy Duncan was born on this day in 1946.