National Loving Day 2020: Important Dates, History, National Loving Day celebration & Special Quotes

National Loving Day 2020: National Loving Day 2020 Loving Day is one of the biggest multiracial celebration in the United States as it marks and respects the US Supreme Court's 1967 ruling. Read more information about National Loving Day, History, Loving V Virginia, National Loving Day Special Quotes in this article.

Roselet Sheena Merli

National Loving Day 2020

National Loving Day is celebrated in the United State of America on 12 June every year. The Day is celebrated to mark the anniversary when United States Supreme Court decided to struck down all anti-miscegenation laws. Earlier, in the United States, anti-miscegenation laws banned interracial marriages. It mainly forbids marriage between whites and non-whites. Loving Day is not an officially recognized holiday by the US government.

The main objective of the day is to keep its importance fresh in the minds of a generation that has grown up with interracial relationships being legal and explore issues facing couples currently in interracial relationships. 

National Loving Day - At a Glance

National Loving Day
Celebrated by The United States of America
Celebrated on 12 June, every year
Day founded on 2004
Reason To celebrate the US Supreme Court's ruling on Loving V Virginia
Loving V Virginia case 1967

What is the History of Loving Day?

The 'Loving case' was brought by coloured woman Mildred & Richard Loving under Virginia's Racial Integrity Act of 1924. The couple married each other in the year 1958 in Washington, D.C. Mildred, reportedly, did not realize that interracial marriage was illegal and was arrested in Virginia. The couple was charged guilty and to avoid jail time, the couple left Virginia and agreed not to return to the state for 25 years. The couple began legal action and the warren court ruled in favour of the couple. 

In the year 1967, the US Supreme Court ruled unanimously saying that such US state laws were unconstitutional. The case was referred to as the ' American Civil Liberties Union." Justice Earl Warren decided to strike down 16 state bans on interracial marriage as unconstitutional. The Warren Court in its judgment stated that "the freedom to marry, or not marry, a person of another race resides with the individual, and cannot be infringed by the State." The Lovings then returned to Virginia and lived the rest of their lives. Hence, the Day is named to mark the Loving v. Virginia. The couple's decision shaped the future of the country. 

After this incident, interracial marriage has increased dramatically in the US. Research by the Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data stated that one in six newlyweds had a spouse of a different race or ethnicity which is more than 5 times higher than the number of intermarried newlyweds in the year 1967. Of course, it is a day to be celebrated, isn't it? Let's celebrate the National Loving day. 

The idea of National Loving Day was founded in 2004 by Ken Tanabe. He grew up in an interracial family, having a Japanese father and a Belgian mother. He announced the observation of the day to bring together multi-ethnic families from around the world.

How to observe National Loving Day?

The National Loving Day is celebrated by the US people especially the people who are in interracial relationships. On this special day, one can celebrate the day by:

  • Learning more about Loving Vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case by Patricia Hruby Powell & Virginia's Racial Integrity Act of 1924.

  • Celebrate the special day with your loved one amid the COVID-19 pandemic by surprising them with a special dinner of things they love. 

  • On this day, volunteers typically coordinate a flagship event in New York City.

  • You can celebrate the day with a backyard barbecue, community events, panel discussions, or cultural performances. 

  • People even select June 12 as their wedding date because of its significance. 

National Loving Day Special Quotes

“This is not a true problem, since individuals marry, not races.” —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

“Love is blind despite the world's attempt to give it eyes.” ―Matshona Dhliwayo

“I don't think there's a problem with dating somebody outside of your race, as long as you're doing it because you want to be with that person. Everybody tells you what you should do when you're dating, but if you follow your heart, it usually works out.” —Donald Faison

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” —Mother Theresa

“When you are dealing with humanity as a family there's no question of integration or intermarriage. It's just one human being marrying another human being or one human being living around and with another human being.” —Malcom X

“I think it's something that needs to be said - that there are interracial marriages out there, and the couples live happy lives, and there's nothing wrong with it.” —Tia Mowry

“Intermarriage is one of the most provocative words in the English language” ― Clotye Murdock Larsson, Marriage Across the Color Line

“Love knows no race. Interracial couples are a symbol of beauty.” ―Unknown

“Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it” – Rumi

“Love is blind despite the world's attempt to give it eyes.” ―Matshona Dhliwayo

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National Loving Day - FAQ

1. Is Loving Day only active on or around 12 June?

No, Loving Day is active all year. The day is a global network of annual celebrations that you can host or attend, and it’s also an educational campaign that you can be a part of every day.

2. What is the mission of Loving Day?

National Loving Day fights racial prejudice through education and builds a multicultural community.

3. How did the observation of the Loving Day begin?

Loving Day was created by Ken Tanabe, a graphic designer, who was born to a multi-racial parent. He founded the day when he began as a graduate thesis project at Parsons the New School for Design in New York City.

4. Is Loving Day only about race?

Loving Day focuses on race. The Loving decision and related laws discriminated through racial categorization. On this day we realize, the traditional racial categories are socially constructed, not scientific. Loving Day focuses on building a multicultural community. That includes bringing people together of different "races," cultures, nationalities, and religious beliefs.

5. Is Loving Day celebrated outside of the USA?

Yes, it is! Even though Loving Day was started in the USA, the Loving Day message is universal. People from all over the world, including China, Australia, South Africa, France, Spain, and Brazil celebrate Loving Day.