Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom enacted on January 16, 1786. That date is now regularly marked in the United States as Religious Freedom Day. Presidential Proclamation for Religious Freedom Day, 2017.
Thomas Jefferson. “An Act for Establishing Religious Freedom,” 16 January 1786. Manuscript. Records of the General Assembly, Enrolled Bills, Record Group 78. Lab# 07_0071_01. Image courtesy the Library of Virginia
“No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened (sic) in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief …”
The original language of this legislation was drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776. His draft is lost. Here is the full text of the act as passed (Source:Monticello).
Thomas Jefferson, third president (Source: White House)
James Madison later revised the bill, and under his direction, it became part of Virginia law in 1786 — a year before the U.S. Constitution was drafted.
Madison later called upon these ideas when he drafted what became the 1st Amendment to the Constitution.
Jefferson considered this law –along with writing the Declaration of Independence and founding the University of Virginia — as his three most significant accomplishments. These three achievements are engraved on his tombstone.
Read more about the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom at Learning Resources from Monticello.
Thomas Jefferson’s Grave Marker at Monticello
