Fourth of July Declaration by the President

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FOURTH OF JULY DECLARATION
by the President
THE APPROACH of Independence Day this year will kindle in all American hearts an appreciation of the dark days that preceded and followed July 4, 1776. Those were the times that tried men's souls even as are these times in another crisis in American life.
But these days are also days of hope and as the birthday of American Independence draws near it is altogether fitting that we should rededicate ourselves to defend and perpetuate those inalienable rights which found true expression in the immortal Declaration. Those words never had a deeper or more solemn meaning for America than they have in this hour of anxiety and peril.
The Fourth of July has always been a happy festival, a day of joy and exaltation in which all Americans have caught something of the spirit of liberty which the Fathers of the Republic proclaimed to all the world on that midsummer day in Philadelphia in 1776. It has been essentially a home festival.
I am glad, therefore, to learn that the Office of Civilian Defense is to lead the Nation this year in a grand rededication to liberty on the Fourth of July. I commend this celebration to Americans everywhere to the end that in this solemn commemoration we may find renewed faith in the blessings which are ours because of the struggle and sacrifice, the courage and fortitude and vision of those who made this Nation a reality.
[signature:] Franklin D. Roosevelt
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
THE PLAN The Fourth of July rededication is to take place simultaneously throughout the Nation at 1:00 p. m., Pacific Coast Time; 2:00 p. m., Mountain Time; 3:00 p. m., Central Time; 4:00 p. m., Eastern Standard Time; and 5:00 p. m., Eastern Daylight Time.
The rededication will begin with a 5-minute radio speech by President Roosevelt. This will be followed by the playing of the national anthem started by the U. S. Marine Band in Washington, and picked up by bands all over the country. Following the national anthem, all citizens led by the President will repeat the Oath of Allegiance to the United States.
The total time for the rededication ceremony will be about 10 minutes.
YOUR PART As an American you have a part in the rededication wherever you may be. At home, at the beach, in the mountains, on a picnic, at the theater, at the ball game, have a radio turned on, listen to the President, join in singing "The Star Spangled Banner" and repeat the Oath of Allegiance.
This rededication ceremony need not interfere with any other patriotic Fourth of July effort you may wish to undertake. Many States and localities are planning their own additional programs. Look to them for information about their plans.
However, under any circumstances, join with the President at 4:00 p. m., Eastern Standard Time, July 4, in personally renewing your Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America.
[imprint:] U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 16—22152
[seal text:] E PLURIBUS UNUM