General Knowledge

Pink Shirt Day in Canada 2023: Date, History, Facts about Bullying

Travis Price and David Shepherd of Berwick, Nova Scotia, established the inaugural Pink Shirt Day. In 2007, after Chuck McNeill, a male ninth-grader, was bullied for wearing a pink shirt on the first day of school, they purchased and distributed fifty pink shirts.

Pink Shirt Day is observed annually on the last Wednesday of February. People wear pink shirts to show their opposition to bullying. This day originated in Canada and is now celebrated internationally on various dates. In 2012, the United Nations declared May 4 to be the official day, but some countries prefer to celebrate it on February 28 or 29. This date is accepted by many countries around the world, including the United States, France, Australia, New Zealand, and Lebanon.

The background of Pink Shirt Day in Canada

Travis Price and David Shepherd of Berwick, Nova Scotia, established the inaugural Pink Shirt Day. In 2007, after Chuck McNeill, a male ninth-grader, was bullied for wearing a pink shirt on the first day of school, they purchased and distributed fifty pink shirts. In recognition of these events, the former premier of Nova Scotia, Rodney MacDonald, designated the second Thursday of September as “Stand Up Against Bullying Day.” In 2008, Gordon Campbell, the premier of British Columbia, declared February 27 to be the regional anti-bullying day, establishing the last Wednesday of February as the national anti-bullying day in Canada. On Anti-Bullying Day in 2009, Boys and Girls Clubs wore pink T-shirts reading “Pink Shirt Day” and “Bullying Stops Here”

The day was created to fight bullying. According to the United States Department of Justice, one in four adolescents will experience bullying. And bullying typically continues for years after the initial incident. Seventy-one percent of bullied students continue to be bullied, making it an issue with no solution. Even a 2010 Yale School of Medicine study found a correlation between bullying and suicidal behaviour. This is referred to as “bullycide,” which occurs when a victim of bullying commits suicide as a result.

Activities for Pink Shirt Day can take place in schools, workplaces, neighbourhoods, or any other peer group location. It typically entails the elimination of anti-bullying rallies, the promotion of anti-discrimination organisations, and the creation of public awareness. Additional features include handouts, resources, and information promoting the National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence message.

National Flag of Canada Day 2023: Date, History, Interesting Facts

Weedless Wednesday 2023 Canada: Date, History, 5 Shocking Facts about Smoking

5 FACTS about Bullying

To combat bullying, many parents permit their young children to undergo plastic surgery.

According to the United States Department of Justice, one in four adolescents will experience bullying.

Girls bully significantly more than boys.

Children in middle school report the highest rate of bullying, about 28 percent.

Approximately 160,000 students miss school due to bullying.

PINK SHIRT DAY IN CANADA DATES

Year Date Day
2022 February 23 Wednesday
2023 February 22 Wednesday
2024 February 28 Wednesday
2025 February 26 Wednesday
2026 February 25 Wednesday

 

Arshiya Khan

Arshiya Khan is a Commerce graduate who loves to write on general and trending topics.

Recent Posts

How To Activate Python Venv In VS Code Manually? Here’s How

This simple guide explains how to manually turn on a Python virtual environment in VS…

24 hours ago

SNAP Texas Payments 2026: January 19-25, Check Your Payment Date

Texas SNAP benefits for January 2026 will be sent between January 19 and 25 for…

24 hours ago

Verizon Outage Compensation: Step-by-Step Guide to Claim Your $20 Credit

A major Verizon service outage affected the whole country on January 14, 2026, on whose…

2 days ago

New Trump Healthcare Plan Draws Praise and Alarm

President Donald Trump has unveiled his 'Great Healthcare Plan' which includes direct payments to households,…

2 days ago

TSA to Charge $45 Fee for Travelers Without Proper ID

The TSA will begin charging a $45 fee by February 2026 for travelers who arrive…

2 days ago

VA Presumptive Conditions Explained: What the PACT Act Changed

The PACT Act expanded VA presumptive conditions, helping veterans get disability benefits faster by linking…

3 days ago