2012 National Day of Reason Wrap-Up

Thanks to everyone who supported the National Day of Reason this year! Thousands visited www.nationaldayofreason.org to learn more about the American Humanist Association and why we support reason over prayer as the guiding principle of public policy.

Pete Stark’s NDR Proclamation

The American Humanist Association and the Secular Coalition of America were proud to support Rep. Pete Stark’s House proclamation recognizing May 3 as Darwin Day. Stark stated:

Our nation faces many problems—bringing our troops home from Afghanistan, creating jobs, educating our children, and protecting our safety net from irresponsible cuts.  We will solve these issues through the application of reason.  We must also protect women’s reproductive choices, the integrity of scientific research, and our public education system from those who would hide behind religious dogma to undermine them.

The AHA and SCA were instrumental in helping Rep. Stark’s office draft language for the proclamation and reach out to the media to help promote National Day of Reason. Thank you to Rep. Stark for his support of reason and the secular movement!

NDR Press Coverage

The AHA and the National Day of Reason gained more publicity this year than ever before, with coverage in CNN.com, Associated Press, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Christian Post, Christian Broadcasting Network, and others.

AHA Director of Communications Maggie Ardiente also interviewed with National Public Radio (NPR) and CBS Radio-Los Angeles to talk more about the National Day of Reason as an alternative to the National Day of Prayer.

NDR Proclamations in 2012

Thanks to AHA’s local chapters and affiliates who made a strong push this year to request National Day of Reason proclamations from their city council leaders! This year, proclamations were issued by:

  • New Orleans, Louisiana (New Orleans Secular Humanist Association)
  • Gov. Dave Heineman, State of Nebraska
  • Mayor Jim Suttle, Omaha, Nebraska (Omaha Coalition of Reason)
  • Mayor Anthony R. Foxxto, Charlotte, North Carolina (Charlotte Atheists and Agnostics)
  • Mayor Elizabeth Goreham, State College, Pennsylvania (Penn State Atheist/Agnostic Association, Nittany Freethought, and local Unitarian Universalist HUUmanists groups)

NDR Events Hosted by AHA Chapters and Affiliates

Thanks to AHA’s local chapters and affiliates who held rallies, participated in community service projects, or hosted gatherings to support the National Day of Reason!

Visit http://nationaldayofreason.org/events/ to see all of the events that took place this year.

Save the Date: National Day of Reason on May 2, 2013

It’s never too early to start planning for National Day of Reason in 2013! Check back at www.nationaldayofreason.org for ideas on how to celebrate, get a proclamation issued, and help promote reason! For questions or comments, please email us at aha@americanhumanist.org