Freedom of the city
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Freedom of the City is an award made by English towns and cities, to esteemed members of its community; such people may then be termed Freemen or Freewomen of the City. The Free status dates back to medieval times when city and town charters drew a distinction between free men, and vassals of a feudal Lord. Early Freedom of the City ceremonies had great importance in affirming that the awardee enjoyed privileges such as the right to earn money and own land, and protection within the town.
In contemporary society, the award of Freedom of a City or Borough tends to be entirely ceremonial, given by the local government in many Towns and Cities on those who have served in some exceptional capacity, or upon any whom the City wishes to bestow an honour.
The Key to the City award is used in many places, in a manner similar to Freedom of the City (see below)
Freedom of the City of London
In England, the award is thought to have originated with the Freedom of the City of London, first made in 1237.There are still Freemen of the City of London. New Freemen receive a guide to conducting their lives in an honourable fashion. Freemen's children get admission preference at the City of London School, the City of London School for Girls, and the City of London Freemen's School. Also, apocryphally, a Freeman has the right to drive sheep and cattle over London Bridge; and if officers of the City of London Police find a freeman drunk and incapable, they will bundle him into a taxi and send him home rather than throw him in a cell and later charge him. The benefit of immunity from prosecution for being drunk and disorderly has long since disappeared, however the droving rights were exercised on June 17, 2006 when a flock of about 30 sheep were driven across the Millennium Bridge to mark the start of London Architecture Week.[link]
Today the Freedom of the City is still taken up by some 1,800 people every year. Prior to 1996, the Freedom was only open to British or Commonwealth Citizens over 21 years of age and of good character. Now however, it has been extended globally, and persons of any nationality may apply either by nomination, by patrimony or by being presented by a Livery Company. There is a long standing tradition of admitting women, who used to be called 'free sisters'.
Although the Freedom is not an honour or award except in the case of Honorary Freedom, many people who have lived or worked in the City are proud to become part of the City's history by becoming Freemen. The Freedom is open to all who are genuinely interested and meet the criteria set down.
Freedom of the City in other cities
In other English cities, towns and boroughs, the qualifications for Freedom differ. For example, in Reading and York, only the children or grandchildren of Freemen may apply although Honorary Freedoms may be bestowed to whomever the City Council chooses.In the Republic of Ireland Freedom of the City is generally given to noted foreign and national dignataries and the list rarely exceeds a few dozen. The cities of the Republic of Ireland generally give various privileges, for instance Dublin allows the right to vote in certain elections, bring goods for sale in the city without customs and the right to pasture sheep on common ground such as College Green and St. Stephen's Green.
Elsewhere in the world, notably in Scotland, Australia and Canada, Freedom of the City has a narrower definition: it is an award to local and foreign military units, giving them the right to march into the city "with drums beating, colours flying, and bayonets fixed". (To do so without the Freedom of the City would historically be regarded as an act of aggression.)
Key to the City
The key to the city is a similar award used in several countries, including the United States to honor esteemed visitors, local residents, and organizations. This honor involves the ceremonial presentation of an ornamental key but carries no formal privileges or distinctions.Key to the City of New York
The City of New York bestows the "Key to the City" upon individuals that it wishes to honour in such a manner.
Recipients include:
- August 4 2004: Nestor Sulpico, a Filipino-American taxi driver, was awarded the Key to the City in recognition of his honesty after returning a bag containing black pearls worth $70,000 USD that had been left in his cab.
- September 25 2005: New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg gave the Dalai Lama the Key to the City, calling him "a moral beacon to millions around the world, with a clear and constant voice for human rights."
Key to the City of Detroit
Recipients include:
- 1980: Given to Saddam Hussein, because of contributions to several local Detroit Catholic Churches, in particular a $170,000 donation to a church that was in heavy debt.
- January 31 2006: Awarded by Mayor Kwame M. Kilpatrick to Detroit native Jerome "The Bus" Bettis, days before his Super Bowl win.
Key to the City of Kingston (Jamaica)
This award is given by the Kingston and St. Andrew Cooperation (KSAC) in collaboration with the Mayor of Kingston and St. Andrew. It is given to outstanding individuals, who did or continue to make a mark in the city of Kingston. This person or group must meet certain criteria, and display outstanding ability and commitment to building the city and nation.
This award is the highest award given by a city/parish.
- On April 23, 2006 -Bishop, Hon. Dr. Carmen L. Stewart, OD, JP, Custos Rotorulum of St. Andrew, Jamaica.
Key to the City of Toronto
The City of Toronto bestows the "Key to the City" upon individuals that it wishes to honour in such a manner, usually at the discretion of the Mayor. Two-term mayor, Mel Lastman was renowned for giving keys to the city to minor celebrities merely to get a chance to meet them. The requirements have since become more stringent.
Recipients include:
- 2000: Barenaked Ladies, a Canadian pop band.
- October 23 2000: J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series of books.
- 2001: Blue Rodeo, a Canadian alt-country band.
- November 18 2001: Jackie Chan, an action movie star, was awarded the Key to the City in recognition of filming a movie there.
- February 12 2004: Conan O'Brien, a late-night television talk show host, in recognition of a week's worth of programming filmed in Toronto.
- April 14 2005: Julian Fantino, former Toronto Chief of Police.
External links
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