Legion cancels oratorical contest due to coronavirus
Carlissa Frederich of Paducah, Ky., won The American Legion's 81st annual National Oratorical Contest in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 15, 2018. Photo by Clay Lomneth/The American Legion

Legion cancels oratorical contest due to coronavirus

The American Legion has cancelled its 2020 National Oratorical Contest in an effort to keep all competitors, volunteers, judges and others safe amid the coronavirus pandemic. The contest had been scheduled for April 17 to 19 in Indianapolis.

The cancellation follows recommendations issued by local, state and federal authorities to reduce the growing number of coronavirus cases by instituting “social distancing” policies.

For updated American Legion information and resources related to the coronavirus, visit www.legion.org and www.legion.org/coronavirus. For updated information about the pandemic itself, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov and the World Health Organization website, www.who.int.