February 17, 2026
Following the loss of a true friend of Students for Life and of our own President Kristan Hawkins, the Pro-Life Generation sought a way to honor Charlie Kirk’s life and legacy. Immediately, Hawkins called for a national acknowledgement of a true champion of free speech and family. Kirk was so special to us that in fact, barely a year ago, we honored him for his service to mothers and their children, born and preborn, as our Defender of Life. But we wanted to do more.
And we were not alone. Federal and state legislators have been answering Students for Life’s call for a Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk. Just this past week, Kansas legislators passed a resolution declaring an annual recognition of “Charlie Kirk Free Speech Day” on October 14, Charlie’s birthday.
READ MORE: Students for Life Once Again Calls for Charlie Kirk’s Birthday to Become a National Holiday
Kansas is joined by 11 other states in this effort to honor the man whose work to promote faith, family, and free speech inspired a generation:
- Florida (S0194)
- Illinois (HB4132)
- Kentucky (HB87/SB31)
- Louisiana (HB11)
- Michigan (HB5114)
- Missouri (SCR13/SCR16)
- Mississippi (SR22)
- Ohio (HB599)
- South Carolina (H4609)
- Tennessee (HJR0709)
- West Virginia (HCR7)
With such a push on the state level, hopefully federal legislators will answer the call to expand their resolution that made Oct. 14, 2025, a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk to an annual celebration of Charlie’s life and work.
Why This Matters
Charlie inspired an entire generation of young people to engage in thoughtful debates about the issues of our age rather than submit to the social pressures to cut ties and scream insults at anyone who dares disagree with you. Anyone could come up to the microphone. That’s what this country was built on.
READ MORE: Charlie Kirk: Champion of Life, Youth, and Country
When you look at the list of American figures honored with holidays and remembrance days, you’ll see the likes of Martin Luther King Jr., Susan B. Anthony, and the Wright Brothers. These Americans contributed undeniable patches to the quilt of American history.
The work of Martin Luther King Jr. brought about racial equality under the law. Susan B. Anthony brought women into the fold of American politics. The Wright Brothers connected us in new ways be shortening the distance between us.
And Charlie?
Charlie’s work shortened the intellectual distance between us by crossing ideological divides to have conversations. Charlie’s work brought young people back in the fold of American politics. And Charlie’s work contributed greatly to the ongoing fight to bring about equality for preborn babies under the law.
There is no doubt that Charlie has changed the quilt of America indelibly. He ought to be recognized in this way.
And Students for Life is proud to continue leading the charge to do that.