Soldiers celebrate Law Day at Fort McNair

By George L. Markfelder, JFHQ-NCR/MDW Public AffairsMay 2, 2013

Soldiers celebrate Law Day at Fort McNair
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Sgt. Jessica R. Segobiano, U.S. Army Military District of Washington paralegal noncommissioned officer and Col. Corey L. Bradley, MDW's Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, cut the Law Day cake during a ceremony held at the Fort Lesley J. McNair Offic... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers celebrate Law Day at Fort McNair
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Dana K. Chipman, U. S. Army Judge Advocate General thanks guest speaker Fred Borch, Regimental Historian and Archivist, Judge Advocate General's Corps after Borch's presentation detailing the Lincoln assassination trial during 2013 Law Day ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Officials adjust the ropes shortly before hanging the Lincoln conspirators from the scaffold at Fort Lesley J. McNair, July 7, 1865. The commanding general of the Military District of Washington, Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock gave the order for t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON, (May 1, 2013) - - Soldiers and civilian staff members of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington listened to details of the Lincoln assassination trial at Fort McNair during their annual Law Day celebration.

Guest speaker Fred Borch, Regimental Historian and Archivist, Judge Advocate General's Corps presented details of the trial from a legal perspective. Joining the MDW staff for the Law Day activities was Lt. Gen. Dana K. Chipman, U. S. Army Judge Advocate General.

According to the American Bar Association, President Dwight Eisenhower established the first Law Day in 1958 to mark the nation's commitment to the rule of law. In 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day, which is subsequently codified (U.S. Code, Title 36, Section 113). Every president since then has issued a Law Day proclamation on May 1 to celebrate the nation's commitment to the rule of law.

Following the lecture, Col. Corey L. Bradley, MDW's Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, and Sgt. Jessica R. Segobiano, paralegal noncommissioned officer, cut the Law Day cake. Participants then toured the facilities where the Lincoln assassins were tried and convicted in 1865. The structure has been restored and stands today at Fort McNair as part of America's heritage.

Related Links:

U.S. Army Military District of Washington

More photos from this event

U.S. Army JAG Corps

Presidential Proclamation -- Law Day, 2013