Prior to 1958, the first day of May was known as May Day. It was designated as the day to remember the struggles of workers in their fight for better wages and working conditions. This was also the day when the Soviet Union and other communist countries demonstrated their military strength with massive parades. The May Day parades in the Soviet Union would display military troops with new war weapons, military vehicles, missiles and tanks.

To redirect the American public’s focus from military strength to the virtues and principles of government under law, American Bar Association (ABA) President Charles S. Rhynes, drafted a proclamation declaring May 1 Law Day. The purpose of Law Day is to increase the public’s awareness of the rule of law, praises our constitutional system of government and our great heritage under the rule of law.

On February 5, 1958, President Eisenhower signed the proclamation declaring May 1 to be Law Day in the United States. Three years later, Congress passed a joint resolution establishing the official date for Law Day as May 1.Each year, the Superior Court of New Jersey - Essex Vicinage organizes its annual Law Day Celebration. This annual program was initiated in 1997 and typically takes place during the first week in May. The Law Day program was developed and implemented by the Essex Law Day Committee composed of judges and staff as well as representatives from the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and the Essex County Bar Association. Law Day Events are planned around a theme that the American Bar Association selects each year, and includes various related components. The celebration provides the court with an opportunity to educate the community about our great laws and system of government. The Essex Vicinage Law Day program has enjoyed great success and in 2006 won an Outstanding Activity Award from the American Bar Association. See the link below for more information.