Signing ceremony


A signing ceremony is a ceremony in which a document of importance is signed. Typically the document is a bill passed by a legislature, thus becoming a law by an executive's signature. However, the document may also be, for example, an executive order, international agreement, or a veto statement that invalidates a legislative measure.
The act of electronically signing a document may be referred to as a signing ceremony. The act of physically signing a signature is seen as adding gravitas to the moment.

History

Signing ceremonies are derived from ceremonies that occurred when the British monarch gave Royal Assent to acts of Parliament. Signing ceremonies became an aspect of American politics.
Signing ceremonies may be performed by U.S. state governors upon signing a state document or by the President of the United States. The President typically invites Congressional leaders who were instrumental in the bill's passage as well as interested community members. One practice is to use multiple pens and honor individuals by giving them the pens used to form the signature. For the signing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, President Lyndon B. Johnson used more than 75 pens. The pens were then given to attending dignitaries and supporters of the bill, including Rosa Parks, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Hubert Humphrey, Everett McKinley Dirksen and Martin Luther King Jr.
Signing ceremonies are associated with acts that are viewed as legislative triumphs for the executive. Conversely, laws that are passed reluctantly or are controversial are often signed into law quietly and privately without ceremony.

Non-government usage

Signing ceremonies may be performed by non-government signatories for purposes including the signing of a contract or will. Signing ceremonies can attest to significant events, such as a beam-signing ceremony to mark a construction milestone.