Celebrate National Whistleblower Day

National Whistleblower Day commemorates the bold vision of our Founding Fathers and their uncompromising support for whistleblowers.

This year marks the 245th anniversary of America’s first whistleblower law, passed unanimously on July 30th, 1778 during the height of the American Revolution. The law was passed after ten whistleblowers reported wrongdoing and abuses committed by a superior officer in the Continental Navy.

This is an important moment in American history that should be celebrated. Every year since 2013, the United States Senate has unanimously recognized July 30th as National Whistleblower Appreciation Day in honor of this rich history and the important contributions whistleblowers have made in preserving American democracy and the rule of law. And beginning in 2015, the National Whistleblower Center (NWC) has held an annual celebration on July 30th to honor and celebrate the great contributions of whistleblowers.

Since then, thousands of whistleblowers, advocates, and supporters have celebrated National Whistleblower Day. Whistleblowers such as Sherron Watkins, Toni Savage, Bradley Birkenfeld, Frederic Whitehurst, Jane Turner, Linda Tripp and Aaron Westrick have been joined by leaders from both political parties, who have set aside their differences and celebrated the historic contributions whistleblowers have made over the years.

It is critical that we see this tradition continued and expanded. That’s why this year we’re asking both chambers of Congress and President Biden to permanently designate July 30th as National Whistleblower Day.

This is the single most important action that federal government can take to acknowledge the importance of whistleblowing and change the culture of retaliation against whistleblowers that persists.