National Religious Freedom Day

Religious Freedom Day remembers the day the Virginia General Assembly approved the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom on January 16, 1786. 

The law was written by Thomas Jefferson and later guided through the legislature by James Madison. 

This statute became the foundation for the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, which protects freedom of religion for all Americans.

USCIS Civics:

100:10.  What is freedom of religion?  

▪  You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

100:51.  What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?  

▪  freedom of expression  ▪  freedom of speech  ▪  freedom of assembly  ▪  freedom to petition the government  ▪  freedom of religion  ▪  the right to bear arms

100:58.  What is one reason colonists came to America?  

▪  freedom  ▪  political liberty  ▪  religious freedom  ▪  economic opportunity  ▪  practice their religion  ▪  escape persecution

128:65.   What are three rights of everyone living in the United States? 

• Freedom of expression • Freedom of speech • Freedom of assembly • Freedom to petition the government • Freedom of religion • The right to bear arms

128:73.   The colonists came to America for many reasons. Name one. 

• Freedom • Political liberty • Religious freedom • Economic opportunity • Escape persecution

128:87.   Thomas Jefferson is famous for many things. Name one. 

• Writer of the Declaration of Independence • Third president of the United States • Doubled the size of the United States (Louisiana Purchase) • First Secretary of State • Founded the University of Virginia • Writer of the Virginia Statute on Religious Freedom