Charlie Kirk is being honored with a “National Day of Remembrance” on Tuesday — also known as “Charlie Kirk Day” — on what would have been the conservative influencer’s birthday.
Kirk was fatally gunned down while speaking at a Utah university in September, prompting Capitol Hill conservatives to pass a resolution officially commemorating his memory today.
Here is everything you need to know about the day and its celebrations:
What is Charlie Kirk Day?
The “Charlie Kirk National Day of Remembrance” is a day to publicly honor the conservative icon, whose organization Turning Point USA has galvanized young conservatives and helped propel President Trump to the White House.
Kirk was assassinated on September 10 while holding a characteristic Turning Point event at Utah Valley University — open-mic style debate of his conservative values with liberal attendees — leaving millions from Main Street USA all the way to Pennsylvania Ave. heartbroken.
After his death, a resolution was passed to officially honor Kirk on October 14 of this year.
Why October 14?
Charlie Kirk Day falls on Kirk’s birthday, October 14. He would have turned 32 this year.
How are people celebrating?
Kirk supporters are wearing red for Charlie Kirk Day, evoking the characteristic color of Republicans and conservative ideals.
Many are also sporting shirts with the word “Freedom” across the front, much like the shirt Kirk often wore at his events and was wearing when he was killed.
Pancakes are also on the menu for supporters today, a nod to Kirk’s favorite breakfast food professed in a viral interaction from one of his Turning Point debates.
The red shirts and pancakes are not part of any official policy, but were pushed by conservative groups on social media like the prominent “Turning Point USA Group” on Facebook, which is reposting photos of supporters.
How is the government recognizing Charlie Kirk Day?
President Trump will posthumously award Kirk with the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the US government’s highest civilian honor — in a White House ceremony at 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Kirk’s wife, Erika, will receive the award on his behalf.
Charlie Kirk Day was proposed as a US Senate resolution on September 18, and passed with 22 co-sponsors.
The day of remembrance is not a federal holiday or national day of mourning, meaning public offices will not be closed, flags will not be flown at half-staff, and the mail will run.
There is also no indication that it will officially become an annual event.
And while no people or organizations are required to participate, the Senate resolution encourages “educational institutions, civic organizations, and citizens across the United States to observe this day with appropriate programs, activities, prayers, and ceremonies that promote civic engagement and the principles of faith, liberty, and democracy that Charlie Kirk championed,” the Mississippi Clarion Ledger reported.
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