USA Trivia Answer #32

 

Who said this:

 

“Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.”

 

Answer: 

President Franklin Roosevelt in Proclamation 2524—Bill of Rights Day

November 27, 1941. In the bill, he dedicated December 15, 1941 to be Bill of Rights Day.

The proclamation declares: “. . . I call upon the officials of the Government, and upon the people of the United States, to observe the day by displaying the flag of the United States on public buildings and by meeting together for such prayers and such ceremonies as may seem to them appropriate.”

He goes on to say: “The first ten amendments, the great American charter of personal liberty and human dignity, became a part of the Constitution of the United States on the fifteenth day of December, 1791. 

“It is fitting that the anniversary of its adoption should be remembered by the Nation which, for one hundred and fifty years, has enjoyed the immeasurable privileges which that charter guaranteed: the privileges of freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the free right to petition the Government for redress of grievances.”

Now, think about this for a minute. Between issuing the proclamation and the day designated to be Bill of Rights day, we were bombed by Japan and declared war on both Japan and Germany. By December 15th, we were at war.

Let that sink in for a moment.