Utah Gov. Spencer Cox Proclaims Sept. 10 ‘Charlie Kirk Day’ on Anniversary of Assassination

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox designated Sept. 10 as “Charlie Kirk Day” Thursday, marking one year since the Turning Point USA founder was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox declared Thursday, Sept. 10, “Charlie Kirk Day” across the state, commemorating the first anniversary of the conservative activist’s assassination at Utah Valley University.

Kirk was shot and killed Sept. 10, 2025, while appearing at an outdoor event on the Orem campus. The killing prompted a nationwide response and an extensive investigation that ultimately led to charges against Tyler Robinson.

“One year ago today, Charlie Kirk came to Utah to take part in a fundamental American tradition: speak openly, debate ideas, and persuade others,” Cox wrote Thursday on X.

“Today, we honor Charlie’s memory by choosing a politics worthy of our country, one where we stand firmly for what we believe and reject violence.

“September 10, 2026, is officially Charlie Kirk Day in Utah.”

Cox had said ahead of the anniversary that Utah had an obligation to remember the assassination and confirmed that an executive proclamation would formally recognize the date. He said commemorating tragedies can help society learn from them and work to prevent similar violence in the future.

Utah Valley University also closed its campus Thursday for anniversary observances, while Turning Point USA planned its “Freedom Built to Last Memorial” at the university’s UCCU Center. A university committee is separately working on plans for a permanent memorial honoring Kirk.

The anniversary follows a series of tributes to Kirk since his death. President Donald Trump ordered U.S. flags lowered to half-staff following the assassination, including at federal buildings, military installations and American facilities overseas through Sept. 14, 2025.

Trump later proclaimed Oct. 14, Kirk’s birthday, a National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk, calling on Americans to honor his memory and pray for “peace, truth, and justice.”

Kirk, who founded Turning Point USA and became one of the country’s most prominent conservative activists, was 31 when he was killed.

Thursday’s proclamation places Utah’s official recognition of Kirk on the same date as the assassination, with Cox framing the anniversary around political disagreement without violence and the protection of open debate.