About Free Speech Week

Created in 2005 and originally called National Freedom of Speech Week, Free Speech Week (FSW) takes place the third full week of October annually. Its purpose is to raise public awareness of the importance of freedom of speech and of a free press in our democracy – and to celebrate that freedom. This non-partisan, non-ideological event is intended to be a unifying celebration.

FSW ’24

University of Oklahoma

University of Oklahoma

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The Media Institute

The Media Institute

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LSC-Tomball

LSC-Tomball

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UW-Eau Claire Menard Center for Constitutional Studies

UW-Eau Claire Menard Center for Constitutional Studies

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News/Media Alliance

News/Media Alliance

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SHARE OUR BADGE

Share Our Badge

Because #freedomspeaks!

FIND A LESSON PLAN

Find a Lesson Plan

For educators elementary through high school, we have compiled a list of some of our favorite freedom of speech and freedom of the press lesson plans from around the web.

FAMOUS QUOTES

Free Speech and Freedom of the Press Quotes

Here are some historical and famous free speech and press freedom quotes to inspire in modern times.

PAST SELECT ACTIVITIES

Select Past Activities

In 2018, to honor Free Speech Week, the City Club of Cleveland commissioned three original murals by local artists for it’s “Free Speech Mural Project.” These murals were subsequently installed throughout the city to invite Clevelanders to consider the role free speech plays in their civic landscape.

First Amendment Milestones

Courtesy of the NAB, take a look at some examples of how journalists have exercised freedom of the press throughout time.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

– First Amendment to the United States Constitution