“Fannie Lou Hamer Day”
A towering figure in the civil rights movement, Fannie Lou Hamer has gone largely unknown. However, a few communities, including her hometown of Ruleville, Mississippi, have not only acknowledged her contributions, but have set aside - and decreed - a special day in her honor. Atlantic City, New Jersey did so in 2018 and Winona, Mississippi in 2022.Those days were designed to celebrate Hamer's unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and empowerment for all. Each day highlights a unique aspect of Hamer's life and work, offering opportunities for reflection, education, and community engagement. They also celebrated her remarkable legacy, helped others to learn from her example, and inspire positive change in their own communities.October 31, 1976 - Ruleville, Mississippi
Ruleville's mayor Virginia Stansel Tolbert (1919-1985), declared October 31, 1976 as Fannie Lou Hamer Day. In a framed Proclamation presented to Hamer, Tolbert and the Board of Aldermen acknowledged Hamer's "humanitarian concern for the plight of others" and her 'demonstration of love.'During a special program honoring Hamer, the Master of Ceremonies was Charles McLaurin, who worked with Hamer and the guest speaker was Charles Evers, mayor of Fayetteville, Mississippi and brother of slain civil rights leader Medgar Evers. Other speakers included activist Amzie Moore and future congressman, Bennie Thompson, who was then the mayor of Bolton.The ceremony ended with Fannie Lou Hamer accepting the first Paul Robeson Award for her many contributions.This is the first known proclaimed “Fannie Lou Hamer Day”.(The Enterprise Newspaper-Tocsin Newspaper|Oct. 28, 1976)
November 1, 2018 - Atlantic City, New Jersey
On November 1, 2018, Stockton University held a dedication ceremony naming a new room in their Atlantic City Academic Center, the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room. Atlantic City Councilman Kaleem Shabazz representing the City Council, the Mayor’s office, and the local chapter of the NAACP, read a proclamation that named Nov. 1, 2018 as Fannie Lou Hamer Day. This is the second known "Fannie Lou Hamer Day." 
Shabazz (above) was in high school in 1964, when Hamer spoke at the Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City. As part of Direct Action Youth (DAY), Shabazz said he found himself on the Boardwalk demonstrating in support of Hamer’s Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (MFDP), which was challenging the Mississippi Democratic Party’s delegation before the credentials committee.June 9, 2022 - Winona, Mississippi
Organized by Vickie Roberts-Ratliff and Fannie Lou Hamer historian, Dr. Davis W. Houck, on June 9, 2022 - a ceremony was held and a historical marker was unveiled on the site of the Winona jail on the corner of Oak and Sterling Streets in Winona, Mississippi.
The unveiling was followed by a three-day festival that promoted unity and understanding within the community by acknowledging past injustices and celebrating progress. It also reflects a commitment to remembering the sacrifices made in the pursuit of equality and justice. And stands as both a tribute to Hamer’s legacy and a call to continue striving for social justice in the present day.The event was attended by Hamer’s last living daughter, Jacqueline Hamer Flakes and Euvester Simpson who shared a jail cell with Hamer in June 1963.(The Winona Times Newspaper | June 16, 2022)
On April 19, 2022, in an initiative spearheded by Vickie Roberts-Ratliff, Aaron Dees, Mayor of the city of Winona, Mississippi, officially signed a proclaimation designating June 9, 2022 as "Fannie Lou Hamer Day". This was an effort to honor the life, legacy, and enduring impact of the woman who was a pivotal figure in the American civil rights movement.The selection of June 9, 2022, as "Fannie Lou Hamer Day" holds deep significance for the city of Winona. On June 9, 1963, Fannie Lou Hamer was arrested and brutally beaten in the Winona jail after attending a voter registration training in South Carolina. Her courage in the face of violence and her willingness to speak out about her experiences brought national attention to the injustices faced by African Americans in the South.By proclaiming June 9 as a day dedicated to Hamer, the city acknowledges both the painful history of racial injustice and the powerful legacy of those who fought for civil rights. This day serves as a moment of reflection, education, and commitment to justice and equality. This is the third known "Fannie Lou Hamer Day". (The Winona Times Newspaper | April 7, 2022)