Culture Freedom Day

Culture Freedom Day is an annual American holiday celebrating cultural freedom. The main slogan of this day is that everyone should have access to the cultural treasures of society. The date of the celebration is flexible, falling on the third Saturday in May.

History

The history of Culture Freedom Day dates back to 2004, when Lawrence Lessig founded the Free Culture Movement. He believed that everyone should have access to works of art that belong in the public domain. The movement advocated for the expansion of copyright laws, while also calling for necessary changes to ensure that copyright regulations were officially managed and expanded appropriately.

The first copyright law was enacted in the early 18th century. Initially, it applied only to literary works, but as society developed, it came to cover all forms of art. While this holiday does not focus on intellectual property rights, it emphasizes the importance of access to cultural works.

Interesting facts

• In ancient Ireland, a dispute over the ownership of the “Cathach” manuscript led to the Battle of Cul Dreimhne.
• The globally recognized copyright symbol is represented by the letter “C” inside a circle.
• Today, photobanks allow people to purchase images, granting them exclusive ownership.

How to celebrate

Learn more about current copyright laws. Consider what works of art you would like to have access to and why. Share your thoughts on social media and discuss with others.

When is Culture Freedom Day in 2025?

Culture Freedom Day is observed on the third Saturday of May.

Observations