Remembering Death, Slavery, and Revolution

^{See also: The Bill of Rights}

In most of the country, April 16th, 2007 isn't even a day off--but today, three distinct holidays acknowledge pivotal events in the history of civil liberties.

Yom Hashoah: Holocaust Remembrance Day

In 1951, the Israeli parliament declared the 27th day of the month of Nissan to be Yom Hashoah U'Mered HaGetaot--Holocaust and Ghetto Revolt Remembrance Day, commemorating both the Holocaust and the Warsaw ghetto uprising of 1943. This year, Holocaust Remembrance Day falls on April 16th.

• Read more: Holocaust Remembrance Day

Emancipation Day

Washington, D.C. celebrates the abolition of American slavery with an official public holiday every April 16th--April 16th, 1862 being the date when President Lincoln abolished slavery in the District of Columbia. Fourteen states celebrate the abolition of slavery on the more traditional date of Juneteenth, or June 19th--when, also in 1862, Congress formally abolished slavery in the U.S. Territories.

• Read more: History of Slavery in the United States (1808-1865)

Patriot's Day

Not to be confused with Patriot Day, which commemorates the 9/11 attacks, Patriot's Day celebrates the American Revolution. Maine and Massachusetts observe Patriot's Day as an official holiday on the third Monday of April, when revolutionary war reenactors recreate the battles that ultimately led to U.S. independence from Great Britain.

• Read more: Top 10 Civil Liberties Violations That Caused the American Revolution