Public Law 183-184: How "I Am an American Day" Proves Citizenship Is an Attained Status

The Smoking Gun

Hidden in plain sight in federal law is explicit proof that citizenship is an attained status, not a natural condition.

Public Law Chapter 183, enacted May 3, 1940, established "I Am an American Day" to celebrate young people who "attained the status of citizenship" by coming of age or naturalization.

That single phrase—"attained the status"—destroys the entire "sovereign citizen" ideology.

This article examines Public Law 183-184, explains its legal significance, and shows why it matters for understanding citizenship, status, and agency.

The Historical Context: 1940 America

Why This Law Was Passed

In May 1940, America was watching Europe descend into World War II. France would fall to Nazi Germany one month later. Britain stood alone against the Axis powers. America's entry into the war was 19 months away.

Congress wanted to:

1. Promote patriotism and national unity
2. Distinguish citizens from aliens (non-citizens)
3. Emphasize citizenship obligations alongside rights
4. Prepare the public for potential war involvement

The Political Climate

The 1940s saw intense focus on citizenship because:

• Immigration debates centered on who could become American
• National security concerns required distinguishing citizens from foreign nationals
• Military draft was being debated (enacted September 1940)
• Loyalty questions arose around German and Japanese immigrants

In this environment, Congress passed Public Law Chapter 183 to celebrate and define American citizenship.

The Text of Public Law Chapter 183

Full Text (54 Stat. 178)

Public Law 183 - Chapter 183
An Act
To designate the third Sunday in May as "I Am An American Day."

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

That the third Sunday in May of each year is hereby designated as "I Am An American Day," and the President is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation calling upon officials of the Government to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on such day, and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies in honor of those who have attained the status of citizenship during the preceding year.

The Critical Phrase

"who have attained the status of citizenship"

Let's break down every word:

"attained" = reached, achieved, obtained (not "possessed naturally")
"the status" = a legal position or condition (not a natural right)
"of citizenship" = the legal relationship created by the 14th Amendment

Legal Significance: Citizenship as Status

What "Attained Status" Means

Attain is a transitive verb meaning:

1. To reach or achieve through effort
2. To arrive at or come to
3. To gain or obtain

Status is a legal term meaning:

1. A position or rank in relation to others
2. A condition recognized by law
3. A legal standing or capacity

The Implication

If citizenship is attained, it is:

• Not natural - You don't possess it from birth by nature
• Not inherent - It's not part of your natural being
• Created by law - It comes into existence through legal process
• Administered by government - Someone determines when you've "attained" it

Contrast with Natural Rights

Natural rights (life, liberty, property) are inherent—you possess them by virtue of being human. No one "grants" them to you.

Citizenship is attained—you reach this status through:

1. Birth in the United States (jus soli - right of soil)
2. Naturalization (legal process for immigrants)
3. Parentage (jus sanguinis - right of blood, for children born abroad)

The 14th Amendment Connection

How the 14th Amendment Created Citizenship Status

The 14th Amendment (1868) created federal citizenship:

"All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside."

Key Elements

1. "born or naturalized" = Two ways to attain citizenship
2. "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" = Accepting federal jurisdiction is part of the status
3. "are citizens" = They become citizens (attain the status)

Before the 14th Amendment

Prior to 1868:

• No federal citizenship existed
• Only state citizenship was recognized
• The Constitution mentioned "citizens" but didn't define who they were
• Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) held that Black Americans could not be citizens

The 14th Amendment created federal citizenship as a legal status.

Public Law 183-184 and Agency Relationships

Citizenship as Agency

When you attain the status of citizenship, you enter an agency relationship with the federal government:

Principal = The United States government
Agent = You, operating in the capacity of citizen

What This Means

As a citizen, you:

1. Represent the United States in certain capacities
2. Owe obligations (taxes, jury duty, military service if drafted)
3. Receive benefits (passport, consular protection, right to vote)
4. Accept jurisdiction (federal courts have authority over you)

Status by Conduct

Once you've acted as a citizen, you've:

• Implied agency - Your conduct implies you're acting as an agent
• Estoppel by conduct - You're prevented from denying the status
• Acquiescence - You've accepted the relationship through participation

Why This Matters for "Sovereign Citizens"

The Fatal Flaw Exposed

"Sovereign citizen" ideology claims:

• Citizenship is a contract you can revoke
• You can "opt out" of the system
• Declaring yourself sovereign removes you from jurisdiction

Public Law 183-184 proves this wrong:

If citizenship is an attained status, then:

1. You reached this status through birth or naturalization
2. You operated in this status through your conduct
3. You cannot unilaterally revoke an attained status

Analogy: Educational Degrees

Consider a college degree:

• You attain a Bachelor's degree by completing requirements
• Once attained, you have that status
• You cannot "revoke" your degree by declaration
• The institution that granted it must revoke it (if at all)

Citizenship works the same way:

• You attain citizenship by birth or naturalization
• Once attained, you have that status
• You cannot "revoke" it by declaration
• Only the government can revoke it through legal process (denaturalization)

The Renunciation Process

How to Actually Renounce U.S. Citizenship

If you truly want to renounce U.S. citizenship, federal law requires:

1. Appear in person before a U.S. consular officer in a foreign country
2. Sign an oath of renunciation before the consular officer
3. Pay the fee ($2,350 as of 2025)
4. Obtain citizenship elsewhere (or become stateless)

Why This Process Exists

The renunciation process proves citizenship is a legal status that requires:

• Formal process to terminate (not just declaration)
• Government approval (consular officer must accept renunciation)
• Alternative status (you must have somewhere to go)

What Happens After Renunciation

Once you've properly renounced:

• You lose your U.S. passport
• You cannot vote in U.S. elections
• You cannot work in the U.S. without a visa
• You cannot receive Social Security benefits
• You may owe an "exit tax" on assets
• You may be denied entry to the United States

This is why "sovereign citizens" don't actually renounce - they want the benefits of citizenship without the obligations.

Key Takeaways

1. Public Law 183-184 explicitly states citizenship is an "attained status"
2. "Attained" means reached or achieved - not naturally possessed
3. Status is a legal condition created and administered by government
4. The 14th Amendment created federal citizenship as a legal status
5. Agency relationships are created when you attain and operate in citizen status
6. Status by conduct means your actions establish your legal status
7. Renunciation requires formal process - not just declaration
8. "Sovereign citizen" tactics fail because they misunderstand status and agency

Conclusion: Understanding vs. Denying

The American constitutional system is based on popular sovereignty—the people are the ultimate source of government authority.

But popular sovereignty operates through the Constitution, not outside it.

You don't need to declare yourself a "sovereign citizen" to exercise your rights. You already are sovereign as one of We the People.

Navigate the system by:

• Understanding which capacity you're operating in
• Knowing when public law applies vs. private rights
• Using real constitutional protections
• NOT using fake "sovereign" magic words

Complete Series

This completes our three-part series on Status, Capacity, and Agency:

• Part 1: Understanding Status vs. Capacity
• Part 2: Why Sovereign Citizen Tactics Fail (0% Success Rate)
• Part 3: Public Law 183-184 and "I Am an American Day" (this article)

For comprehensive analysis with full case law, historical research, and practical applications, see our:

• Basic Module: Status, Capacity, and Agency (free)
• Advanced Module: Status, Capacity, and Agency (20,000+ words)