"Freethought Day"
                                                         Proclamation

Whereas,

     October 12 marks the anniversary of the date on which it was declared in the Massachusetts colony that "spectral evidence" would no longer be admissible in court, terminating the infamous Salem Witch Trials;

Whereas,

     this declaration by Governor William Phips of the Colony of Massachusetts was the first of its kind requiring that evidence admitted in court be observable by the ordinary senses, measurable and replicable;

Whereas,

     the declaration forced the immediate termination of the notorious Salem Witch Trials, since all the convictions invoked such "evidence" as voices from a deity or spectres including "angels" and "devils;"

Whereas,

     20 persons were condemned and cruelly executed (19 hanged, one pressed to death) prior to Governor Phips' declaration;

Whereas,

     Governor Phips wrote that he stopped the proceedings "because I saw many innocent persons might otherwise perish," including the 52 people with pending cases of witchcraft--all of whom were released within three months of his ruling;

Whereas,

     of all the watersheds of human history, surely one of the most seminal in terms of the elevation of thought from the depths of primal instincts was Governor Phips' October 12, 1692 edict;

Whereas,

     there may be no single day of more significance in tracing the history of human enlightenment and the adoption of the scientific method than October 12, 1692;

Whereas,

     there have been many holidays for saints and superstition, but never one commemorating reason, freethought and state/church separation;

We, The People, hereby declare October 12 as "Freethought Day."
 

     The following story ran in the September 1992 issue of Freethought Today

Proclamation Proposed
For Week Of October 12-17, 1992
Freethinkers are encouraged to contact city, county and state executives to proclaim "Freethought Week," to mark the 300th anniversary of the termination of the infamous Salem Witch Trials.

The proclamation was suggested by David Schreiber, a Foundation member from California. His research revealed that on October 12, 1692, Gov. William Phips of the Massachusetts colony ruled "spectral evidence" inadmissible.

"Of all the watersheds in human history," Schreiber notes, this proclamation was "surely one of the most seminal in terms of the elevation of thought from the depths of primal instincts. The 12th of October, 1992 will mark the 300th anniversary of that momentous step taken by Governor Phips. Would it not be appropriate to designate the occasion as Freethought Day? I can think of no single day of more significance in tracing the history of human enlightenment."

The Freedom From Religion Foundation suggests that "Freethought Day" be observed annually. Since the 300th anniversary of Governor Phips' decision falls this year on the much-ballyhooed Columbus Day, the Foundation is suggesting that freethinkers request a "Freethought Week" be proclaimed this year.

Please feel free to photocopy the adjacent proclamation in contacting officials. Much of the wording was suggested by David Schreiber. Sending a cover letter and making follow-up phone calls or asking for an appointment to discuss the request are advised. Government officials routinely make countless proclamations each year, many of them with far less merit or meaning.

"We welcome Mr. Schreiber's suggestion as an opportunity to commemorate freethought and state/church separation. There have been so many holidays for saints and superstition.
Let's have a day commemorating reason," urged Anne Gaylor, Foundation president.

Please advise Freethought Today of your efforts to inaugurate such proclamations in your area, and send copies of proclamations if you are successful.

http://www.ffrf.org/proclamations/freethoughtday.html