This article highlighting National Whistleblower Day was sent as part of NWC’s “Sunday Read” series. For more information like this, please join our mailing list.

One of the key dates National Whistleblower Center (NWC) annually looks to is July 30, better known as National Whistleblower Day. Since 2013, NWC has hosted live and hybrid National Whistleblower Appreciation Day events on Capitol Hill to celebrate its historical significance, provide exclusive networking opportunities and the chance for attendees to hear directly from whistleblowers, advocates, government leaders and elected officials who continue to provide support and insight.

At the core of the event is the call for the House and Senate to pass legislation permanently designating July 30th as the date for federal observance of National Whistleblower Appreciation Day.

In this Sunday Read, we will revisit the history of National Whistleblower Day and highlight the insights of speakers who have participated during NWC’s annual event.

A Legacy Nearly 250 Years in the Making…

The history of whistleblower protection in the United States can be traced back to the era of the American Revolution.

Esek Hopkins, a Rhode Island slave trader, became the first commander in chief of the U.S. Navy under then-General George Washington — a fact not often found in standard history lessons.

Ten sailors serving under Hopkins came forward to report his misconduct and the mistreatment of captured British soldiers by the Continental Navy. In response, Congress stripped Hopkins of his commission on January 2, 1778. Within days, however, he retaliated by filing criminal libel lawsuits against the whistleblowers.

Two of the first men arrested and held on high bail were Richard Marven, a third lieutenant in the Marines, and midshipman Samuel Shaw.

“These were working-class Americans who volunteered in the Revolution,” NWC Founder & Chairman of the Board Stephen M. Kohn recounted in a 2017 address. “But they also insisted on promoting what they called their ‘constitutional right’ to raise these issues to the new government. As a lawyer this gave me pause because the U.S. Constitution was not written for another 10 to 15 years, yet they believed that there was inherent in that concept of liberty, a right to blow the whistle. And they were going to assert it even if it meant jumping ship.

“Our forefathers were tested. How would they react?” Kohn asked the audience. “They listened.”

In the end, the nation’s founders stood on the side of justice. Just six months later, on July 30, 1778, the world’s first whistleblower protection law was enacted — a historic milestone now commemorated each year as National Whistleblower Day.

As written by the first Continental Congress on July 30, 1778:

“Resolved, that it is the duty of all persons of the United States, as well as all other inhabitants thereof, to give the earliest information to Congress or any other proper authority of any misconduct, frauds, or misdemeanors committed by any persons in the service of these States, which may come to their knowledge.”

National Whistleblower Day 2024 – An NWC Highlight

NWC commemorated its 11th annual National Whistleblower Appreciation Day on July 30, 2024, in Washington, D.C., highlighting the vital role of whistleblowers in promoting transparency and accountability.

Kohn opened the event, underscoring the importance of solidarity among whistleblower advocacy groups. The audience was then treated to addresses by prominent speakers, including U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Charles Grassley (R-IA), the respective vice chair and chair of the Senate Whistleblower Caucus, who emphasized the bipartisan need for robust whistleblower protections.

The speaker roster also included Special Counsel at the U.S. Office of Special Counsel Hampton Dellinger, Boeing whistleblower Ed Pierson, and representatives from organizations such as Transparency International and the Government Accountability Project, reflecting a unified front in supporting whistleblowers.

The event also recognized individuals like Dr. Jeffrey Wigand, the Big Tobacco whistleblower with NWC’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award. (Wigand was masterfully portrayed in an Oscar-nominated performance by Russell Crowe in the 1999 film, “The Insider.”)

International perspectives were provided by María de los Ángeles Estrada Gonzalez, a Mexican anti-corruption attorney, who discussed efforts to establish comprehensive whistleblower protections in Mexico. She also raised concerns about environmental risks associated with deep-sea mining and the need for whistleblower policies within international bodies like the International Seabed Authority.

Mexico City-based litigation attorney Carlos G. Guerrero Orozco, co-founder of the non-profit Derechos Humanos y Litigo Estratégico Mexicano (D.L.M.) also spoke about how, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, D.L.M. and Tech de Monterrey launched a digital platform for whistleblowers to report corruption relating to the pandemic, resulting in thousands of credible claims.

Throughout the event, moderators FBI whistleblower Jane Turner and Army Corps of Engineers whistleblowerToni Savage recognized many individual whistleblowers in attendance at the event, explaining what they blew the whistle on and thanking them for their bravery. Read the full 2024 round-up here.

How You Can Get Involved

Earlier this year, NWC announced that establishing a permanent National Whistleblower Day was one of its top seven campaigns. An official act would mandate that all federal agencies honor the day, provide whistleblower training to their employees, and celebrate the contributions that whistleblower have made to democracy and society.

To support the campaign to Make National Whistleblower Day Permanent, consider donating to National Whistleblower Center. For a limited time, donors of $50+ will receive a free copy of NWC Chairman Stephen Kohn’s “Rules for Whistleblowers: A Handbook for Doing What’s Right” and donors of $100+ will also receive a free NWC t-shirt.

By sharing this campaign with your network, you can help spread the word about National Whistleblower Day and the history of whistleblowers in America.

RSVP to attend the event in-person on Capitol Hill. Space is limited, reserve your seat today!

Further Resources

The decision to come forward is not one to be taken lightly, nor should selecting a whistleblower lawyer. NWC provides resources that can connect you with the right legal professional prior to taking any action.

Support NWC

NWC works tirelessly to strengthen whistleblower programs and educate the public about their value. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, our work relies on donors like you.

💙 Donate today to help us continue advocating for whistleblowers.

🎁 Special Offers: Donors of $50 or more will receive a free copy of Stephen M. Kohn’s latest book, Rules for Whistleblowers: A Handbook for Doing What’s Right.

🎁 Donors of $100+ will receive an exclusive NWC t-shirt.

This story was written by Justin Smulison, a professional writer, podcaster, and event host based in New York.