National Whistleblower Day
Have you ever heard of brave individuals who stood up against injustice? Their acts of courage and honesty have changed the world.
Part of living in a country with a fair rule of law is making sure that corruption and misconduct do not go unnoticed. National Whistleblower Day is here to honor and celebrate people who have spoken up!
History of National Whistleblower Day
Whistleblower Day is celebrated each year on July 30, which is the anniversary of America’s first Whistleblower Law. This law was passed by the Continental Congress in 1778, during the time of the American Revolution.
In 2013, the United States Senate unanimously voted to enact National Whistleblower Appreciation Day, in honor and celebration of the brave people who have stood up for American rule of law and Democracy.
The National Whistleblower Center (NWC) was started in 1988 and is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy and educational organization based in Washington, DC. By 2015, the NWC started hosting an annual celebration on Capitol Hill to honor and commemorate the contributions of whistleblowers.
On this day, politicians and government leaders from both sides of politics have set aside their agendas to celebrate the freedom found in a country where whistleblowers are welcome and encouraged to tell the truth.
How to Celebrate National Whistleblower Day
Observing National Whistleblower Day is a serious and impactful action that participants can be proud of. Consider these ideas for celebrating the day:
Make a Donation to the National Whistleblower Center
This important non-profit organization advocates and educates on topics around the issues of government corruption and misconduct. They work to expose and help to prosecute corruption and wrongdoing, not only in the United States but around the world.
Ask the US Government to Recognize National Whistleblowers Day
Although the United States Senate has been recognizing the day each year since 2013, the entire federal government still has not made the commitment to do so on a permanent basis. Many concerned citizens are asking the United States Congress and the President of the United States to make National Whistleblowers Day a permanent fixture.
Visit the National Whistleblowers Center website to learn more and to send an email request to your local representatives.
Learn More About Whistleblowers
Getting educated about the importance of whistleblowing is the right of every citizen. Information can be accessed through various books and journals. A good place to start might be through the website of the National Whistleblower Center (NWC) in Washington, DC. The website even offers public access to watch some of the programming from the previous year’s celebration of the day.
Host an Educational Forum
Educators, Attorneys, Government Workers and other affected parties can certainly help raise awareness and advocacy for this day by promoting it in their local communities. Schedule an auditorium at a school or public library and invite guest speakers to offer education and understanding regarding the bipartisan idea of whistleblowing.
After the talks, perhaps try breaking up into smaller groups to have round table discussions about concerns surrounding this issue. Participants can brainstorm and coordinate ideas on how to continue to make whistleblowing a safe and honored practice for those within the government.
