We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Politics

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is a Signing Ceremony?

By Gregory Hanson
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 15,378
References
Share

A signing ceremony is a formal occasion at which a significant document is formally signed. These ceremonies are most commonly associated with the formal signing into effect by a president, governor, or similar official of laws passed by a legislative body, and are part of the political culture of most democracies. A signing ceremony may be used in other contexts where the formal signing of a document might merit the attention of the press, the historical record, or the public. All signing ceremonies are typically carefully planned, scripted, and managed.

Some of the most famous signing ceremonies are those that take place when a president formally signs a bill into law. The passage of major pieces of legislation is normally advertised with great pomp and ceremony. Favored political allies or symbolically important members of the public are often invited to attend this type of signing ceremony. Other favored allies may be rewarded with mementos of the signing process, such as pens used in the signing.

In some cases, this type of signing ceremony may produce controversy. Presidents of both parties, and executives in many other settings, often face accusations of using such ceremonies as occasions for grandstanding and empty political theater. United States Presidents have also faced questions about their use of signing statements. A signing statement, which is issued contemporaneously with newly-signed laws, specifies the precise way in which the executive wishes to enforce a new law. Controversy arises when a President uses such statements in a way that may be perceived to undermine the actual intent of the law.

Governors and other executives also frequently stage signing ceremonies, with the same general goals. They too are often accused of staging political theater. The use of line-item veto power by executives can further complicate a signing ceremony. Unlike the President of the United States, many other executives have the authority to ratify only selected portions of a piece of legislation. This, in some cases, can also distort the original intent of legislation. Sometimes, line-item veto power may even give an executive the controversial power to effectively re-write legislation by selectively vetoing individual words.

The use of signing ceremonies is not limited to the realm of politics. Any solemn occasion at which documents are signed may be turned into a signing ceremony. These occasions range from the ratification of treaties to the acceptance of contracts in the world of professional sports. The underlying purpose of these ceremonies is usually still to generate publicity and to create a historical record of events.

Share
Historical Index is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.historicalindex.org/what-is-a-signing-ceremony.htm
Copy this link
Historical Index, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Historical Index, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.