Like all holidays, Law Day asks us to reflect upon and recommit to our essential shared values. These values, and the virtues required to strive toward their fulfillment, must be regularly re-examined and reaffirmed. And, of course this examination should involve more than a rote recitation, devoid of meaning; it should instead be a critical inspection from different angles, in which we engage with the underlying meaning, and work to find the ways we may best pursue and uphold these critical foundations of our society. For this reason, we are asked each year to celebrate this holiday by speaking together—and to include students and others whom we hope to help guide toward active civic engagement—about the rule of law. This celebration is thus designed to keep our rule of law vital and fresh in the changing conditions we encounter.

These values are simultaneously simple in expression and profound in depth and meaning. Although they should be familiar, they are still aspirational, and can only guide our action to the extent we understand and agree upon their significance. When we do, these guiding principles can help form context for our discussions and debates, and help bring us closer to common ground, in pursuit of a more perfect union.