On May 1, 2026, McPherson, Kansas, will commemorate the rule of law in America as part of its celebration of the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding. Launched with an official proclamation by Mayor James Loving at the April 7 City Commission meeting, a variety of activities will lead up to the proclaimed “Law Day” of Friday, May 1.
President Dwight Eisenhower officially designated May 1 the first Law Day in 1958, calling the rule of law “the great heritage which our forefathers bequeathed to us,” one that “distinguishes our governmental system from the type of government that rules by might alone” (Proclamation 3221, February 3, 1958).
In 2026, partners from McPherson city and county government, libraries, schools, and public agencies are collaborating on resources and events that will give people opportunities to consider how the rule of law affects their lives.
Beginning April 7, the McPherson Public Library will distribute two Law Day bookmarks (for adult, youth readers). Miller Library on the McPherson College campus will have a special display of materials April 7-30. McPherson High School (MHS) students are building a website (at http://mcphersonlawday.weebly.com) to present both historical and more current reading materials on the rule of law in America.
On Tuesday, April 14, a public program at 6:30pm in the McPherson College Mingenback Theatre will bring together journalists to discuss their role in supporting the rule of law. “Write to Know: Law & a Free Press,” moderated by Dr. Julia Kuttler, McPherson College Associate Professor of Communication, will feature Clay Wirestone, Opinion Editor of Kansas Reflector, a non-profit news organization; Greg Loving, CEO/Co-founder of the Kansas online newsfeed Citizen Journal; and Kaycee Carter, Editor-in Chief of the Spectator, McPherson College student newspaper.
McPherson High School students will hear a presentation on Monday April 13 that deals with connections between law enforcement and the rule of law. Sgt. Blane Janssen of the McPherson Police Department will speak on his role in maintaining and strengthening the benefits of the rule of law.
The concluding event, on Friday, May 1, will be two public screenings of a video “The Rule of Law: If you can keep it.” Directed by MHS junior Oliver Bowman, the video features individuals whose efforts in McPherson support and maintain the rule of law (an attorney, teacher, journalist, police officer, librarian, election supervisor). The video will premiere at two showings, with refreshments, at 12:00 noon and 5:30pm at the McPherson Museum (1111 E. Kansas Avenue).
Joni Regnier, Director of the McPherson Convention & Visitors Bureau, is organizing this year’s 250th founding anniversary celebration. She sees the McPherson Law Day activities as a way to reflect on a basic principle that benefits all Americans. “We disagree on all sorts of issues,” she said, “and we have throughout our history. That’s how democracy works. But our respect for the laws that we help create is what makes America the unique country it is.”
